Red Flags

As a parent or caregiver, if you see any of these behaviors in a child we encourage you to talk with the child’s pediatrician and ask for a referral for an evaluation from one of our physical, occupational, or speech therapists.

Physician referral forms can be found below or in the Patient Resources section of our website. 

Physician Referral Form (Pediatrics)

Newborn:

  • Stiff or floppy
  • Difficulty organizing suck, swallow, breath (difficulty feeding)

2 months:

  • Poor visual focus – not interacting with caregiver faces
  • Arches back frequently

4-6 months:

  • Does not bring hands to midline
  • Difficulty moving against gravity
  • Maintains fisting
  • Little to no vocalizations
  • Not initiating some type of rolling movement
  • Not grasping and holding toys
  • Gags or chokes often
  • Unable to lift head up lying on tummy


8 months:

  • Not sitting alone
  • Does not explore toys with hands
  • Will not bear weight on legs
  • Does not respond to or begin social interactions

9 – 12 months:

  • Not crawling on belly or hands and knees
  • Limited sounds, uses mostly vowel sounds
  • Not using pincher grasp (finger and thumb) for self-feeding
  • Does not babble, coo or gesture
  • Unable to walk behind push toy or pull to stand

12-16 months:

  • Not taking steps independently
  • Does not say single words
  • Cannot self feed
  • Does not imitate sounds or movements
  • Walks on tiptoes most of the time


18-24 months:

  • Does not say two word phrases
  • Does not engage in pretend play
  • Difficulty coordinating use of both hands
  • Frequently falls down

2-4 years:

  • Observed to be a “clumsy kid” (tripping over feet)
  • Has difficulty with dressing or having clothes on
  • Does not engage in play with other children
  • Cannot throw or kick a ball
  • Will not scribble when given a crayon or marker
  • Does not use at least 50 words consistently

 

Any age:

  • Hesitant to interact with others or the environment, appears to be overly sensitive, described as a “fussy baby or child”
  • Overly passive baby, not exploring the environment or toys
  • Perpetual movement, no sit-down time, no balance between movement and rest.
  • Delays in development affecting multiple areas
  • Consistent walking on tip-toes for an extended period of time
  • Has any loss of any language, motor, or social skills
  • Child does not know how to play with toys
  • Child has poor eye contact
  • Child seems to prefer to play alone.
  • Avoids using both sides of his/her body or exhibits a strong one side preference.
  • Not attempting to help with daily skills like washing, dressing, feeding