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Behaviour Therapy
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Signs & concerns
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Signs & concerns
What Are the Signs of Emotional Delay in a Newborn?
There are no recognised signs of "emotional delay" in a newborn, because emotions like social smiling and shared joy are still emerging in the first weeks. What is appropriate to watch is whether your baby can be soothed, looks at faces, and responds to sound. The first social smile typically appears around 6 weeks to 2 months. See a paediatrician promptly if your baby cannot be soothed at all, never responds to sound, is very floppy or stiff, or feeds poorly — for general wellbeing, not an emotional label.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Social Delay in a 12-to-18-Month-Old
By 12–18 months, most toddlers share smiles, follow your gaze, point to show things, respond to their name, and copy gestures like waving. Seek a developmental check if your toddler rarely makes eye contact, doesn't point or show objects, doesn't respond to their name, shows little interest in shared play, or has lost a social skill. These are reasons to assess early, not a diagnosis — early support works best at this age.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of social delay in an 18-to-24-month-old
At 18–24 months, social development shows as sharing smiles, pointing to show you things, responding to their name, and copying you in play. Gentle signs worth a developmental check include little eye contact or shared joy, not pointing, not responding to name, little interest in others, or not imitating — especially if these appear together or a skill has faded. These are reasons to assess early, not a diagnosis, and hearing should be checked first.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of social delay in a 2-year-old
By two years most toddlers share moments with you — copying actions, pointing to show interest, checking your face, and enjoying simple games. Gentle reasons for a developmental check include little eye contact or shared smiling, not pointing to show, rarely imitating, not responding to their name, or little interest in others. These are reasons to assess early, not a diagnosis, because support works best when it begins early.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of social delay in a 3-to-6-month-old
Between 3 and 6 months, social connection shows up as smiling back, holding eye contact, cooing in a to-and-fro, and brightening for familiar faces. There is wide healthy variation, so one quiet day is rarely a worry. Seek a gentle developmental check if, by around 6 months, your baby rarely smiles at people, seldom makes eye contact, doesn't coo or babble back, or has lost a skill. This is a reason to look early — not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of Social Delay in a 3-Year-Old
At three, most children enjoy other children, take turns in simple games, pretend in play, and share feelings. Gentle signs worth a developmental check include little interest in peers, no pretend play, rarely sharing smiles or looking for reassurance, difficulty with turn-taking, or not responding to their name. These are reasons to assess early — not a diagnosis — because early support works best at this age.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the signs of social delay in a 4-year-old?
By four, most children play cooperatively with other children, take turns, share imaginative play, show empathy and hold a simple back-and-forth conversation. Gentle signs worth a developmental check include little interest in peers, difficulty sharing or taking turns, not noticing others' feelings, or conversation that doesn't flow. This is not a diagnosis — it means a clinician's calm look is wise now, because early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the signs of social delay in a 5-year-old?
By five, most children make friends, take turns, share pretend games and read simple feelings. Gentle signs worth a check include little interest in other children, one-sided conversation, difficulty taking turns or joining group play, and trouble reading feelings. This is reason to assess early — not a diagnosis — because support at this age works beautifully.
Read the answer AnswerSigns of social delay in a 6-to-9-month-old
By 6–9 months most babies are sharing smiles, turning to your voice, enjoying peek-a-boo and recognising familiar faces. Reasons to seek a gentle developmental check include rarely smiling back, not responding to your voice, little eye contact or shared joy, being hard to engage in back-and-forth play, or losing a social skill once had. This is not a diagnosis — babies vary widely — but an early calm look helps, because support works beautifully at this age.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the signs of social delay in a 6-year-old?
By six, most children make and keep friends, take turns, share, follow simple rules and read basic feelings. Signs that a developmental check may help include difficulty joining or sustaining peer play, struggling with turn-taking, missing social cues like tone and facial expression, very one-sided conversations, or strong distress with friendship give-and-take. These are reasons to assess gently — not a diagnosis — because early social support works best.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the signs of social delay in a 9-to-12-month-old?
Between 9 and 12 months, most babies share smiles, respond to their name, wave, point and enjoy peek-a-boo. Gentle signs worth a developmental check include little eye contact or shared smiling, no response to name, no babbling or gestures, and little interest in simple social games. These are reasons to look closely early — not a diagnosis — because support at this age works wonderfully.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the signs of social delay in a newborn?
There is no meaningful checklist of social delay in a newborn — connection emerges gradually. In the first 3 months, watch for warm cues like settling to your voice, looking at faces, and the first social smile around 6–8 weeks. If by 2–3 months your baby doesn't smile back, look at faces, or respond to your voice — or if you worry about hearing or alertness — arrange a calm developmental check. This is early reassurance and monitoring, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerADHD red flags warranting referral in young children
Refer a young child when inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are age-inappropriate, persistent (≥6 months), pervasive across ≥2 settings and functionally impairing — and not better explained by hearing loss, sleep disorder, anxiety or global delay. A confident ADHD label below ~4–5 years is rarely appropriate; assess and monitor.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Attachment mean for my child?
A delay in attachment means your toddler's trusting bond with you is forming more slowly or differently — not that it cannot grow. At 12–36 months, watch for limited comfort-seeking, little checking back to you, few shared smiles, or going indiscriminately to strangers. These are reasons for a gentle developmental check, not a diagnosis, because responsive early support works best at this age.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Behavioral Patterns mean for my child?
A delay in behavioural patterns means a child's self-regulation skills — coping with change, following routines, managing impulses and calming after upset — are emerging more slowly than expected. Between 3 and 7 years this is common and not a diagnosis. Seek a developmental check if behaviours are frequent, intense, disrupt play, learning or friendships, or come with delays in talking, social connection or attention — because early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Does a Delay in Behavioural Regulation Mean for My Child?
A delay in behavioural regulation (ICF d250) means your child is building skills like waiting, calming after upset and shifting between activities more slowly than expected for ages 3–7. It is not a diagnosis — it means extra, patient support is wise. These skills respond very well to early, playful help, so a gentle developmental check now is a kind, sensible step.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Behaviours mean for my child?
At 1–3 years, a delay in behaviours usually means your toddler is finding it harder to manage feelings, follow routines or connect with others. Much of this is normal toddler development, but it can be a gentle signal that an early developmental check would help. Seek a review if behaviours cause harm, are very hard to manage daily, or come with delays in talking or social connection. This is not a diagnosis — early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Child Behaviour mean for my child?
A delay or difference in child behaviour (ICF d250) means your 3-to-7-year-old's emotional self-management, responses or adaptability aren't yet matching their age — managing feelings, settling, or following simple expectations. This is not a diagnosis and rarely means naughtiness; behaviour is how children communicate skills still forming. Seek a calm clinical check if outbursts are very intense or frequent, hard to settle, get in the way of play, learning or friendships, or travel with other delays. Early support works best at this age.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Conflict mean for my child?
For a 12–36 month-old, managing conflict — sharing, turn-taking, recovering after upset — is a slowly emerging skill, not a finished ability. A delay usually means your child needs more time and gentle coaching, often because the language and self-regulation behind it are still catching up. It is not a diagnosis; it is a helpful reason for an early, calm developmental check, because support works beautifully at this age.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Conflict Resolution mean for my child?
A delay in Conflict Resolution means your 3-to-7-year-old is still learning to handle disagreements — sharing, turn-taking, naming feelings, compromising — a little later than peers. At these ages big emotions are very normal and this is a skill in progress, not a diagnosis. Seek a gentle developmental check if conflicts are frequent and intense, hard to soothe, affecting friendships or learning, or travelling with speech or social delays. Early support works beautifully.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Control mean for my child?
A delay in Control means your 12-to-36-month-old is finding it harder to manage big feelings, wait, or stop and start actions on request. At this age, meltdowns and impulsiveness are largely normal stages built on growing language. A developmental check is wise when distress is intense, frequent and crowds out play, sleep or connection, or travels with communication or social differences — a reason to look early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Does a Delay in Emotional Development Mean for My Child?
A delay in emotional development means your child is taking longer than typical to build skills like naming feelings, calming after upset and coping with change — not a diagnosis. Between 3 and 7 these skills grow unevenly in many children, and most catch up well with warm, consistent support. A developmental check helps you understand where your child is and how best to help.
Read the answer AnswerEmotional Delay in Toddlers
A delay in emotional development means your toddler may find it harder than peers to manage big feelings, settle after upset, or share emotions with you. It is not a diagnosis or a fault — it is a reason for a gentle, early developmental check. At 1–3 years emotional skills are still growing fast, and with warm early support most children make strong progress.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does a delay in Emotional Regulation mean for my child?
A delay in emotional regulation means your 3-to-7-year-old finds it harder than peers to calm big feelings and recover after upsets — longer or more frequent meltdowns, quick escalation and slow recovery. At this age the skill is still developing, so this is not a diagnosis or a character flaw, but a sign your child may need more coaching and practice. Seek a developmental check if difficulties are intense most days, affect school or friendships, involve aggression or self-injury, or come with delays in talking, play or social connection — because early support works best.
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