Kids with special needs require a lot of loving assistance and support. That’s why parents must be able to identify signs of disability in their children as early as possible, which ensures they can access the help they need to let their child thrive. Here’s what you can look for if you suspect your child is facing difficulty. 

Verbal 

While it’s true that all kids are on their own timelines when it comes to verbalization, delayed speech often indicates an issue. Most babies begin “babbling,” or making speech sounds, between 12 and 15 months. By the age of 2, most children can form simple sentences, follow commands, and identify objects. Children usually develop a reasonable grasp of language by about age 4, which means they can be understood by people they converse with. A reliance on gestures over speech, problems imitating sounds, or an inability to follow simple commands often indicates a verbal issue. 

Cognitive

Kids with special needs may also show signs of intellectual disabilities at an early age. Along with language delays, children with intellectual disabilities also experience delays with walking and crawling. Problem-solving may be more difficult, and many kids will experience issues with common tasks that children of the same age are able to perform. This is known as adaptive behavior, which touches on everything from schooling to personal care. 

Social

Social skills are crucial for forming bonds with others and navigating common situations. Social skills issues can present in a number of ways. For instance, some children have a hard time reading other people’s body language, which can make it difficult to carry on a conversation. In other cases, a child may stand uncomfortably close when speaking with others or interrupt when other kids are talking. Significant problems with socialization are often linked to autism or Asperger’s syndrome. 

If your child has special needs, the kind and compassionate caregivers at Deer Valley Home Health Services in Berkeley, St. Charles, and St. Louis, MO, are here to help. They’re equipped to care for infants, as well as young adults, experiencing issues related to special needs. Visit them online for more information on their available services, or call (314) 355-3679 to speak with a friendly representative.