Is the child developing slowly? Parents can observe from these signs.

Child development refers to the changes in the ability to function in terms of the maturity of organs and various systems, including the individual’s ability to perform difficult and complex tasks efficiently. Parents should regularly observe warning signs… whether their child’s development is delayed compared to peers of the same age, because if left untreated for a long time, it can affect the child’s quality of life in the future.

Human development.. is divided into 5 aspects

1. Physical development refers to the body’s ability to balance, move, and locomote using large muscle groups, various senses, including the coordination of eyes and hands in performing activities.
2. Cognitive development refers to the ability to learn, understand relationships between things, reason, analyze and synthesize thoughts, including problem-solving skills.
3. Emotional and psychological development refers to the ability in feelings and emotional expression, distinguishing and controlling emotions appropriately when facing different situations.
4. Social development refers to the ability to build relationships with others, adapt socially, be responsible, cooperate with others, have individuality, self-help in daily life, behave appropriately according to time and place, have manners, and discipline.
5. Spiritual development refers to changes in the ability to recognize the value of one’s own life, have the motivation to control oneself to choose to live in a good, proper, and creative way, leading to recognizing the value of others’ lives, a sense of moral responsibility, and moral development, which leads to the ultimate goal of a good life.

*Children with developmental disabilities are those who have delayed development compared to normal children of the same age, which may be found in one or several aspects.

Causes of developmental disabilities

• Genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, etc.
• Central nervous system abnormalities
• Infections such as rubella infection, HIV infection, meningitis, etc.
• Exposure to toxins such as fetal alcohol syndrome, lead poisoning, etc.
• Abnormalities and complications during birth such as oxygen deprivation, high blood bilirubin, premature birth, low birth weight, etc.
• Metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism, etc.
• Nutritional deficiencies such as iron deficiency
• Inappropriate caregiving and lack of developmental stimulation
• Unknown causes

Signs parents can observe if their child’s development is delayed

• Language
  • At 15 months old… the child does not speak meaningful words
  • At 2 years old… speaks fewer than 50 words, does not speak meaningful two-word phrases, and cannot follow simple commands
  • At 3 years old… still does not speak in sentences
  • At 4 years old… does not tell stories or cannot speak clearly enough for others to understand more than 25%
• Muscle
  • At 6 months old… cannot turn over
  • At 9 months old… cannot sit steadily, cannot roll over
  • At 1 year old… cannot stand or bear weight on both legs
  • At 1 year 6 months old… cannot walk independently
  • At 2 years old… cannot balance well while standing
• Social and emotional
  • At 2 months old… does not make eye contact
  • At 4 months old… does not smile
  • At 6 months old… does not smile or laugh, does not show responsive reactions
  • At 1 year old… does not follow with eyes when caregiver points
  • At 15 months old… does not point to show interest
  • At 1 year 6 months old… does not point to communicate interest to others
  • At 2 years old… does not make eye contact, does not imitate speech or gestures of caregivers
  • At 3 years old… does not engage in pretend play, does not show interest in playing with others, does not understand or respond appropriately to others’ emotional expressions

If parents observe that their child has delayed development, they should take the child to see a doctor for screening and developmental assessment using standard tools to find the cause. Additional tests may be required, such as genetic testing, thyroid hormone level testing, brain imaging, vision or hearing tests, etc., to provide treatment according to the cause, along with developmental stimulation by specialized experts.

Child and Adolescent Health Center
Phyathai 2 Hospital, Building B, 2nd Floor

Opening Hours
Open daily from 06:30 – 20:00 (Services at Building B, 2nd Floor)
and from 20:00 – 22:00 (Services at Building A, 1st Floor)

Phone Number
02-617-2444 ext. 3219, 3220