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Signs & concerns
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Signs & concerns
Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing vestibular processing?
Vestibular processing isn't a skill that appears on a set birthday — it's the brain's ongoing sense of movement, balance and head position, and your toddler has been building it since infancy. So it isn't something "not yet showing". Watch instead how your child balances, climbs and enjoys movement. Seek a calm developmental check if balance or movement seems far behind peers, your child strongly avoids or craves spinning, or movement concerns travel with delays in talking, play or connection — this means assess early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerToddler visual processing — what is normal and when to check
Visual processing — how the brain understands what the eyes see — develops gradually across the toddler years (12–36 months), so a child not yet showing every skill is often completely typical. Seek a gentle developmental check if your toddler makes no eye contact, does not follow moving objects, bumps into things often, holds toys very close, tilts the head, or shows little interest in faces or pictures. Start with a paediatric eye check, then a developmental review — this is reason to look early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerIs It Normal That My Toddler Isn't Showing Visual Reception Yet?
Visual reception — how a toddler takes in and acts on what they see — develops at different paces, so not showing every skill yet is often within the wide normal range. Watch for not following or searching for objects, little shared looking, or trouble matching simple shapes by 2–3 years, and review eyesight concerns promptly. This is a reason for a calm developmental check, not a diagnosis, because early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerToddler Visual Spatial Processing — Is It Normal?
Visual spatial processing in toddlers emerges gradually and unevenly between 12 and 36 months, so a child not yet showing strong spatial play is usually typical. Seek a developmental check if it travels with other delays in vision, language, motor skills or play, if a skill is lost, or simply for reassurance. This is a reason to screen early, not a diagnosis — early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerIs my toddler's vocabulary developing normally?
Toddlerhood spans 12–36 months, and vocabulary grows on a wide, normal timetable — comprehension usually comes before speech. Around 18 months many children have a few clear words; by 24 months, roughly 50 words and early two-word phrases. Being younger in this band or quieter is often typical, but check sooner if there are no words by 18 months, no two-word phrases by 24–30 months, little gesture or pointing, no response to name, or any loss of words. These are reasons to assess early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerIs my toddler's vocalization development normal?
Vocalization develops across a wide normal range: babbling and a first word or two near 12 months, a few words by 18 months, two-word phrases by 24 months. Seek a gentle developmental check if your toddler has very few sounds or words, isn't pointing or gesturing, doesn't respond to their name, or loses words once used. This is a reason to assess early, not a diagnosis — early support works best, and a hearing check is wise alongside any speech concern.
Read the answer AnswerIs It Normal That My Toddler Is Not Yet Walking?
Most toddlers walk independently between 12 and 18 months, with a wide healthy range. Not yet walking can be perfectly normal, especially in cautious explorers and bottom-shufflers. Arrange a gentle developmental check if there are no independent steps by 18 months, no weight-bearing, a strong one-sided preference, loss of a skill, or other delays. This is reassurance, not a diagnosis — early observation always helps.
Read the answer AnswerIs it normal that my toddler is not yet showing working memory?
For a toddler aged 1–3, working memory is still emerging and shows up in small ways — following a simple instruction, hunting for a hidden toy, copying something seen earlier. Expect it to be brief and inconsistent now, growing through the preschool years. This is normal. Seek a developmental check if, by around 30–36 months, your child doesn't respond to their name, can't follow simple familiar requests, shows little pretend play, or has lost skills — not as alarm, but as an early opportunity.
Read the answer AnswerIs it ever too late to help my child if we start now?
It is almost never too late to help your child. The brain keeps growing and rewiring throughout childhood thanks to neuroplasticity, so meaningful progress is possible at every age. Earlier support is easier, but later support is never wasted — what matters most is taking the next step now. Start with a calm developmental check so support is shaped around your child's real strengths.
Read the answer AnswerAdaptive Development at 12–18 Months
Between 12 and 18 months, most toddlers steadily grow everyday self-help skills — finger-feeding, drinking from a cup with help, cooperating with dressing and showing preferences. There's a wide normal range, so daily differences are usually fine. Seek a developmental check if your child shows little interest in self-feeding, can't be eased into routines, loses a skill, or if adaptive lags come with delays in talking, moving or connecting. This is a reason to observe early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer Answer12–18 Month Cognitive Development
Between 12 and 18 months, healthy cognitive growth shows as searching for hidden objects, using everyday items correctly, copying simple actions, and exploring cause and effect. There is a wide range of normal, and children master skills in their own order. Seek a gentle developmental check if, by around 18 months, your child shows little curiosity about how things work, doesn't look for hidden toys, isn't imitating, or has lost a skill. This is reason to observe early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerIs My 12-to-18-Month-Old Developing Normally in Communication?
Between 12 and 18 months, communication grows in uneven bursts — most toddlers move from a few first words and lots of pointing and babble towards roughly 10–20 words by 18 months, but the range of normal is wide. If your child babbles, points, responds to their name and tries to communicate, that is reassuring. Seek a gentle developmental check if there is little babble, no pointing, no response to name, or no words emerging by 18 months — not as a diagnosis, but so early, playful support can begin when it works best.
Read the answer AnswerToddler Emotional Development at 12–18 Months
Between 12 and 18 months, healthy emotional development means seeking you for comfort, sharing joy and smiles, showing a range of feelings (including tantrums), and some clinginess when you leave — all signs of secure attachment. There's a wide normal range, and temperament varies. Seek a gentle developmental check if your toddler rarely seeks comfort, shares little eye contact or joy, doesn't look to you in new situations, or shows very little emotional range — especially alongside speech or gesture delays. This is reassurance, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 12-to-18-month-old developing normally in motor?
Between 12 and 18 months most toddlers move from cruising furniture to walking, and from a neat finger-and-thumb pinch to scribbling and stacking — across a wide, healthy range. Your child is very likely developing well. Seek a developmental check mainly if they are not walking by 18 months, cannot stand with support, strongly favour one side, feel very floppy or stiff, or have lost a skill. This is a reason to assess early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerIs My 12-to-18-Month-Old Developing Normally in Sensory?
Between 12 and 18 months, exploring textures, reacting to sounds, seeking movement and being a little fussy about new textures are all typically normal sensory development. Seek a gentle developmental and hearing check if your toddler doesn't respond to their name or sounds, is extremely and persistently distressed by everyday textures, sounds or lights, seems unaware of pain, or if sensory reactions come with delays in words, pointing, walking or social connection. This is a reason to assess early — not a diagnosis — because early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 12-to-18-month-old developing normally in social?
Between 12 and 18 months, most toddlers share smiles, point, wave, respond to their name, copy simple actions and enjoy back-and-forth play, with wide room for normal variation. A gentle developmental check is wise if your child rarely makes eye contact, doesn't respond to their name, doesn't point or show you things, or has lost a skill. This is not a diagnosis — early observation simply opens early opportunities, because support works beautifully at this age.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 12-to-18-month-old on track developmentally?
Between 12 and 18 months, most toddlers are walking, babbling, saying first words, pointing and copying you — with a very wide range of normal. There is no pass-or-fail test; if a few skills are taking longer, that's a reason for a gentle developmental check rather than worry, because support at this age works beautifully. Seek a review if your child isn't walking or pointing by 18 months, has no clear words, doesn't respond to their name, or has lost a skill once gained.
Read the answer AnswerIs My 18-to-24-Month-Old Developing Normally in Adaptive Skills?
At 18–24 months, adaptive (self-help) skills like spoon-feeding, drinking from a cup, pulling off socks and copying chores grow quickly but unevenly — a wide range is normal. Most toddlers want to do things "myself", with mess and slowness being part of learning. Seek a gentle developmental check if your child shows little interest in self-feeding or helping by around 24 months, or if adaptive lags travel with delays in talking, movement or social connection. This is a reason to look early, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerIs My 18–24 Month Old Developing Normally in Thinking?
At 18–24 months, healthy cognitive development shows in play — finding hidden toys, copying you, pointing to share, following simple instructions and starting pretend play. Variation is normal; what matters is steady new skills appearing over time. A gentle developmental check is wise only if several of these are absent around 24 months or your child loses a skill they once had. This is reassurance and early opportunity, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer Answer18–24 Month Communication Development
Between 18 and 24 months, most toddlers move towards 50+ words and begin joining two words, alongside pointing, gesturing, following simple instructions and responding to their name. Understanding usually runs ahead of speaking. Seek a developmental check — not a diagnosis — if your child uses very few or no words, has lost words, rarely points or gestures, or doesn't respond to their name, because early support works best at this age.
Read the answer AnswerIs My 18-to-24-Month-Old Developing Normally in Emotion?
At 18 to 24 months, intense feelings, tantrums, clinginess and big reactions are usually signs of healthy emotional development. Typical toddlers seek you for comfort, share joy, show strong likes and dislikes, and protest when you leave. Consider a gentle developmental check if your child rarely seeks comfort, seems persistently flat, shows little shared smiling or eye contact, or has lost warmth or skills once had — reasons to look early, never a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerMotor Development at 18–24 Months
Between 18 and 24 months, most toddlers walk well, begin to run, climb, kick a ball and stack a few blocks, with a wide healthy range of timing. A gentle developmental check is wise if your child is not walking by 18 months, has lost a skill once had, or seems clearly behind peers in moving or using their hands. This is a reason to look early, not a diagnosis — early support works best at this age.
Read the answer AnswerSensory Development at 18–24 Months: Is It Normal?
At 18–24 months, most sensory behaviours — spinning, mouthing toys, loving or hating messy play, covering ears at loud sounds — are typical as your toddler learns how the world feels. Seek a developmental check if sensory responses are extreme and daily, disrupt eating, sleeping, dressing or play, or come with delays in talking, social connection or movement. These are reasons to assess early, not a diagnosis, because early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerIs My 18-to-24-Month-Old Developing Normally in Social Skills?
At 18–24 months, social development shows in looking to you for reassurance, showing and sharing toys, pointing, copying actions, and warmth with familiar people — with a wide normal range. Seek a gentle developmental check if your toddler rarely makes eye contact, doesn't respond to their name, shows little interest in people, or isn't pointing or sharing. These are reasons to look early, not a diagnosis — early support works beautifully at this age.
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