ASK PINNACLE · QUESTIONS, EXPLANATIONS & NEXT STEPS
10
Explore explanations, everyday questions and next steps connected with 10.
1,156 published answers · English · Page 25
Signs & concerns
When should I worry about Global Developmental Delay at 18–24 months?
At 18–24 months, worry is reasonable if your child is behind in two or more areas at once — movement, words, understanding, play — or has lost skills. One slow area often catches up; a pattern across several is the real flag. Worry is a reason to check, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about hearing in my 18–24-month-old?
By 18–24 months a child should turn to your voice, respond to their name and use a few growing words. If your toddler misses everyday sounds, follows only gestures, or has very few words, ask for a hearing check — a fresh test is always reasonable, even after a newborn screen. Only a clinician can confirm anything.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to worry about SLD in an 18–24-month-old
At 18–24 months it isn't clinically meaningful to look for Specific Learning Disability — it concerns reading, writing and maths skills your toddler hasn't begun yet, and is usually recognised only around ages 6–8. For now, watch broader development — talking, understanding, play and movement — and route any concern to a general developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about speech and language delay at 18–24 months?
Between 18 and 24 months there's a wide normal range, but very few words, no pointing or gestures, not understanding simple instructions, or losing words are worth a gentle check. A single quiet phase often resolves; a persistent pattern is the real flag. A screen brings clarity — only a clinician can confirm anything.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 2-year-old might have ADHD?
At two, ADHD cannot be reliably diagnosed — high energy and short attention are normal toddler behaviour. ADHD becomes identifiable around age 4–5, when a persistent pattern shows across settings. If your child's overall development worries you, a general developmental check, not an ADHD label, is the right next step.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about autism in my 2-year-old?
At two, worry is reasonable when you see a pattern — few words, no pointing, not responding to name, little pretend-play, or lost skills — rather than one quirk. Two is an ideal age to screen, and only a clinician can confirm anything.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 2-year-old might have Cerebral Palsy?
By age two, persistent stiffness or floppiness, strong early hand preference, unsteady or absent walking, or one-sided weakness are worth a check — not a single off day. These signal a reason to assess, not a diagnosis. Only a Pinnacle clinician can confirm Cerebral Palsy.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 2-year-old might have Global Developmental Delay?
Worry is reasonable when a two-year-old is behind in two or more areas at once, loses skills, or feels persistently delayed — but worry is not a diagnosis. One delayed area is often a phase; a pattern across areas is the flag to check. Only a clinician can confirm Global Developmental Delay.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 2-year-old might have Hearing Impairment?
By age two, worry is reasonable if your child doesn't respond to their name or soft sounds, watches faces intently to understand, or has very few clear words. A painless hearing test can confirm or rule it out quickly — and earlier is better. Only a clinician can diagnose.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 2-year-old might have Intellectual Disability?
At two it is too early to confirm Intellectual Disability — the brain is still developing rapidly. Watch development as a whole, and check any concern early. A pattern of delay across communication, play and daily skills, or loss of a skill, is a reason for a developmental check — not a diagnosis you can make at home.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Sensory Processing Differences at 2?
At two, big sensory reactions are common and often normal. Worry is reasonable when reactions are intense, persistent and disrupt feeding, sleep, dressing or play. That is a reason to check — not a diagnosis. Only a Pinnacle clinician can assess your child properly.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 2-year-old might have Specific Learning Disability?
At two, Specific Learning Disability cannot be diagnosed — it only becomes meaningful around ages 6–8 when formal learning begins. At this age, simply nurture and observe your child's language, play and listening. If those building blocks concern you, a general developmental check brings clarity. Only a clinician confirms anything.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 2-year-old might have Speech and Language Delay?
At two, most children use about 50 words and start joining two together. Below this — or with loss of words, little gesturing or no response to name — a developmental check is wise. Worry is a good reason to look, not a diagnosis. Only a Pinnacle clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 3-to-6-month-old might have ADHD?
ADHD cannot be identified in a 3-to-6-month-old, and clinicians do not diagnose it this early — infant fidgetiness and short attention are normal. At this age, track ordinary milestones like smiling, babbling and head control instead, and route any general concern to a developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about autism in a 3-to-6-month-old?
At 3 to 6 months, autism cannot be diagnosed and there is no reliable signs list this young. Watch your baby's everyday social development — smiling, cooing, turning to sounds — and raise concerns with your paediatrician. Structured autism screening usually begins near 18 months; only a clinician can assess.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Cerebral Palsy at 3–6 months?
At 3–6 months CP isn't diagnosed at home, but persistent stiff or floppy tone, poor head control, early strong hand preference or one-sided movement are reasons to ask for a developmental check. Worry is a reason to check, not a diagnosis — only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 3-to-6-month-old might have Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is identified at or soon after birth via physical features and a confirming chromosome test — not first discovered at 3–6 months. If your baby was examined at birth with no concern, it is unlikely to surprise you now. At this age simply observe head control, tone, feeding and social smiling, and share questions with your paediatrician.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Global Developmental Delay at 3-6 months?
At 3 to 6 months it is too early to diagnose Global Developmental Delay. Watch broad signals — head control, social smiling, reaching, responding to sound — and check in if a pattern persists or skills are lost. Only a clinician can assess; worry is a reason to screen, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to worry about hearing impairment at 3–6 months
At 3–6 months, hearing is watched gently, not feared. Expect startle to loud sounds, calming to your voice, turning towards sound, and early cooing. A consistent absence — or NICU, prematurity, jaundice or family history — warrants a hearing check. Only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to worry about Intellectual Disability at 3–6 months
At 3–6 months, Intellectual Disability cannot and should not be diagnosed — the abilities it describes haven't emerged yet. Instead, watch warm early milestones like social smiles, tracking faces and head control, and raise any concern at your routine paediatric visit. Only a Pinnacle clinician forms any assessment.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to worry about sensory differences in a 3-to-6-month-old
At 3–6 months, Sensory Processing Differences cannot be diagnosed — sensory systems are still maturing and big reactions are usually normal. Watch for persistent patterns in soothing, responding and connecting, and raise any concern at routine checks. Only a clinician gives clarity.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to worry about SLD in a 3-to-6-month-old
Specific Learning Disability cannot be identified in a 3-to-6-month-old — it concerns reading, writing and maths, which only emerge with schooling around age 6–8. At this age, simply track ordinary milestones like smiling, following faces and babbling, and raise any general concern at routine check-ups.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 3-to-6-month-old might have Speech and Language Delay?
At 3 to 6 months it is too early to diagnose speech and language delay — words are months away. Enjoy and encourage cooing, smiling and babbling. The one thing worth checking promptly is hearing if your baby doesn't react to sound or your voice. Formal language assessment becomes meaningful nearer 18–24 months.
Read the answer AnswerADHD concern in a 3-year-old
At three, being busy, impulsive and easily distracted is usually normal — ADHD is rarely diagnosed reliably this young. Worry is a reason to observe and seek a general developmental check, not to label. Only a clinician can tell the difference.
Read the answer