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10
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Signs & concerns
When should I worry my 3-year-old might have autism?
At three, seek assessment when you see a persistent pattern across social communication, play and behaviour — not a single quirk. Worry is a reason to check, not a diagnosis. Three is a hopeful age to act, and only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 3-year-old might have Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is recognised at or soon after birth via a karyotype, not newly diagnosed at three. A worry at this age usually points to a general developmental concern — slower speech, late walking, learning lags — which deserves a gentle check. Only a clinician confirms anything.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 3-year-old might have Global Developmental Delay?
GDD means significant delay across two or more areas of development before age five. By age 3, worry is reasonable if several areas lag together and persist, or if your child loses skills. Worry is a reason to screen — only a clinician can confirm it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 3-year-old might have Hearing Impairment?
By age three, a child should respond to their name, follow simple directions and speak in short sentences. A persistent pattern of not responding, mishearing or limited speech — especially after frequent ear infections — is worth a prompt hearing check. Worry is a reason to assess, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 3-year-old has Intellectual Disability?
At three it is too early to label Intellectual Disability, but the right age to notice and check. A broad, persistent pattern of delay across language, thinking, play and self-help — not one slow skill — is the real reason to seek a developmental check. Only a clinician can confirm anything.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Sensory Processing Differences in my 3-year-old?
At three, occasional sensory fussiness is normal. Worry is reasonable when a strong, persistent pattern of over-reacting, under-reacting or sensation-craving disrupts meals, sleep, dressing or play. That pattern is a reason to check with an occupational therapist — not a diagnosis in itself.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about SLD in my 3-year-old?
At three, it is too early to diagnose Specific Learning Disability — those reading, writing and maths skills haven't begun yet, and SLD is usually identified around ages 6–8. For now, watch the language and play foundations, and screen any concern early. Only a clinician can assess.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 3-year-old might have Speech and Language Delay?
At three, look closely if your child uses very few words, isn't joining words, is hard for family to understand, or struggles to follow simple directions. A persistent pattern — not one late phase — is the real flag. Worry is a reason to screen; only a clinician can confirm anything.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 4-year-old has ADHD?
At four, high energy and distractibility are usually typical. ADHD becomes a meaningful question only when behaviours are far more intense than peers, span home and preschool, last 6+ months and disrupt daily life. Worry is a reason to check, not a diagnosis — only a clinician can confirm it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 4-year-old might be autistic?
At four, worry becomes worth acting on when you see a persistent pattern — limited back-and-forth talk, little pretend play, difficulty connecting with other children, fixed routines or repetitive behaviours — across home and preschool. Four is a meaningful age to assess. Only a clinician can confirm what it means.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 4-year-old might have Cerebral Palsy?
Most children with Cerebral Palsy show signs well before age four, so a new worry at this age is often something else worth checking. Persistent stiffness, an unsteady gait, or trouble with balance and fine motor skills deserve a developmental review. Only a clinician can confirm it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 4-year-old might have Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is recognised at or near birth and confirmed by a karyotype blood test — it does not appear newly at four. If your child wasn't identified as a baby, it's very unlikely now. A developmental concern at four deserves a separate check, and only a clinician can assess it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Global Developmental Delay in my 4-year-old?
GDD means significant delay in two or more developmental areas at once. One late skill is common; a persistent pattern across several areas by age four is the real flag — and worth a proper check. Only a clinician can confirm it; worry alone is not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about hearing impairment in my 4-year-old?
By four, a child should hear soft speech, follow instructions across a room and speak clearly. Worry — and check — if they often say 'what?', need the TV very loud, don't respond when called, or mishear words. Hearing can change after birth and infections, so a test is the kind, hopeful step. Only a clinician can confirm it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 4-year-old might have Intellectual Disability?
Worry is reasonable, but it is not a diagnosis. Intellectual Disability involves persistent delays in both thinking and everyday skills together — not one isolated area. A lasting, across-the-board pattern at four warrants a developmental check. Only a Pinnacle clinician can confirm it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Sensory Processing Differences at 4?
Occasional fussiness over sounds, textures or busy rooms is normal at four. Worry is reasonable when a persistent pattern of sensory avoidance or seeking disrupts eating, dressing, sleep or play across settings. That's a reason to check with an occupational therapist — not a diagnosis you can make alone.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 4-year-old might have Specific Learning Disability?
At four, Specific Learning Disability cannot yet be diagnosed — it needs formal schooling to emerge, usually after age 6–8. The wise step now is to watch pre-literacy foundations (sounds, letters, language) and strengthen them through play. Only a Pinnacle clinician can assess; an online form never can.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about speech and language delay at 4?
By four, most children speak in sentences and are understood outside the family. A persistent pattern — short or jumbled speech, hard for strangers to understand, or trouble following directions — is a fair reason to check. Worry is a reason to assess, not a diagnosis; only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 5-year-old has ADHD?
At five, being wriggly and distractible is often normal. The real flag is a strong pattern of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity lasting 6+ months across home and preschool that disrupts learning and friendships. Worry is a reason to check — only a clinician can confirm ADHD.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry my 5-year-old might have Autism Spectrum?
At five, look for a persistent cluster of patterns — limited two-way social connection, very literal or repetitive speech, reduced gestures, strong need for sameness and sensory sensitivities — across home and school. A single behaviour is common; a lasting pattern is the real flag. Worry is a reason to check, not a diagnosis — only a Pinnacle clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 5-year-old might have Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy almost always shows before age five as a persistent movement pattern — stiffness, one-sided preference, or an unusual gait — not as a sudden new change. A steady pattern is worth a developmental check; only a clinician can confirm it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Down syndrome in my 5-year-old?
Down syndrome is identified at or near birth, not newly discovered at five. If your child was checked as a newborn without diagnosis, it is very unlikely now. Any worry about learning or development deserves a general developmental check — only a clinician can guide you.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about Global Developmental Delay at 5?
Worry is reasonable, but worry is not a diagnosis. At five, the real flag for Global Developmental Delay is a persistent pattern of being meaningfully behind across two or more areas — language, learning, self-care, movement or social skills. A clinician can confirm it; early checking helps most.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my 5-year-old might have hearing impairment?
By five, a child should hear soft speech across a room and speak clearly. A persistent pattern of mishearing, asking for repetition, loud TV or unclear speech — across home and school — warrants a simple hearing check. Worry is a reason to test, not a diagnosis.
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