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Developmental Delays

As a parent, knowing whether your child is developing as expected, and what to do if they are not, can feel overwhelming. Every child develops at their own pace, but when a child is consistently not reaching milestones, early specialist input can make a profound difference to their long-term outcomes.

If something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct. You do not need a diagnosis or a referral to come to us.

What to Look Out For

Development unfolds across several areas simultaneously, and delays can appear in one or across several at the same time. Signs that may indicate a child would benefit from specialist assessment include:

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  • Motor delays: not reaching physical milestones such as sitting, crawling, standing, or walking within the expected timeframe, or moving in ways that seem effortful or uncoordinated.

  • Speech and language delays: fewer words than expected for age, limited babbling, or difficulty understanding simple instructions.

  • Social and play development concerns: limited interest in other children, difficulty with imaginative play, or not responding to their name or familiar faces in the expected way.

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For many families, the question is not whether something is different, but whether it is different enough to seek help. Our advice is always the same: if you are concerned, do not hesitate to talk to us. Early assessment never does harm, and early support can change everything.

How Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy Can Help

  • Early assessment to establish a clear developmental baseline and identify where support is needed.

  • Play-based, parent-mediated therapy tailored to the child's developmental stage because, for young children, play is the most powerful vehicle for learning.

  • Practical strategies for families to support their child's development at home, woven into everyday routines rather than added on top of them.

  • Liaison with health visitors, nurseries, and paediatricians as appropriate, so that everyone supporting your child is working from the same picture.

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