What should parents do if they suspect there may be something not quite right about their child’s development?

“Don’t worry—he’ll grow out of it.”

Those comforting words are often offered to parents who are not quite sure whether their child’s behavior is “normal” for his or her age.

Sometimes, of course, it’s true.

As any pediatrician or preschool teacher or child development expert will tell you, there is a wide range of “normal”:

Susie learns to walk at 9 months and Billy at 14 months. Either way, it’s still within the guidelines for typical development. No need to worry. Nevertheless, sometimes children don’t just “grow out of it,” and the earlier they get some help, the better their chances of overcoming whatever problem or delay they may face. The good news is that there are free services available to every Pennsylvania family to help with identifying developmental problems and then treating them.

For children 3 years old to school age, these free services are offered by the intermediate unit. According to Jan Salwocki, Preschool Supervisor at the Central Susquehanna I.U., which serves Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties, “We see children in early intervention who go on to school and never need continuing special education.” This is the best possible result for early intervention, but even if delays or problems don’t entirely disappear, it’s safe to say that the child will do better if services are started as early as possible. Parents can call the intermediate unit themselves to request a screening, and I.U. staff will come to the family’s home, the child’s day care center, or Grandma’s house—wherever it is most convenient for the family. If a child is found to have a delay that qualifies him or her for services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or a special preschool teacher, these services can also be provided wherever the child spends the day. And it is important to note that parents always have a choice about whether or not to accept these services.

From birth to a child’s third birthday, the early intervention programs are housed in the Mental Health/ Mental Retardation agencies. Kathy Hollabaugh, Early Intervention Service Coordinator for Northumberland County MH/MR, advises parents not to worry about the MH/MR label. Most of the children who receive services from her agency do not have either of these problems. Rather, they are seen for speech and language delays, physical problems, and a whole host of developmental issues. Many of the referrals for the youngest babies come from physicians or hospitals, but parents are also encouraged to call if they are not comfortable with something about their young child’s development. “This is not a welfare program,” Ms. Hollabaugh says. “It’s an entitlement. There are no income guidelines, and the program is completely voluntary.” As with the I.U. program for preschool age children, parents can decide whether or not to accept services once their child has been tested and found to have a delay.

Becky Laubach, Early Intervention Supervisor for the CMSU Mental Health/Mental Retardation agency, which serves children who live in Columbia, Montour, Snyder, and Union counties, advises parents to talk first with their child’s pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or family doctor—whoever provides the child’s regular health care. Parents shouldn’t be reluctant to do this. They know their own child best, and their hunches are often right. They can help the professionals by tracking their child’s behavior: How long has this been going on? Is it worse or better at certain times of the day, or in certain circumstances? Has this child typically been early or later with other behaviors? She says that parents should remember that babies need opportunities to move in order to learn, and that children under three SHOULD be “looking for ways to get into trouble” most of the time. “A lack of interest is always a concern.”

Certain developmental alerts for infants and toddlers can indicate a childhood development concern. The following list of developmental alerts is offered as a guide.

Check with your child's doctor or an early childhood specialist if by the ages listed you have NOT observed the following behaviors:

Developmental Alerts for Infants and Toddlers

By One Month

• Shows alarm or startle responses to loud noise

• Sucks and swallows with ease