community health worker support
When should an ASHA worker refer a child for developmental help?
ASHA workers should refer a child when milestones are clearly late, when a skill is lost, or when a parent is worried — no diagnosis needed. Route delays to a general developmental check, and fits or sudden skill loss to a doctor urgently. Diagnosis and the AbilityScore are formed only at a Pinnacle centre by clinicians.
You are often the first person to notice when a child is not growing the way they should — and that early eye changes lives.
In short
Refer a child for developmental help when they are clearly not doing what most children their age can do, when a milestone is late or has been lost, or when a parent is worried — you do not need to be certain of any condition. Your job is not to diagnose; it is to notice and route. When in doubt, refer for a general developmental check — early support is always safer than waiting.Simple things to watch, by age
Use these as easy household questions during your visits:By 6 months — Does the baby smile back, make sounds, hold the head steady?
By 12 months — Does the child babble, respond to their name, point or wave, sit without support?
By 18 months — Does the child say a few words, walk, show things to others, copy simple actions?
By 2 years — Does the child join two words, follow simple instructions, run, play near other children?
By 3 years — Does the child speak in short sentences, play pretend, be understood by family?
Refer promptly at any age if you see:
- Loss of skills the child once had (words, walking, smiling)
- No eye contact or no response when called
- Floppy or very stiff body, or not using one side
- A parent who keeps saying "something feels different"
- Fits, staring spells or sudden jerks — these need a doctor straight away, not therapy first
Trust the parent's worry. Parental concern is one of the most reliable early signals there is.
When and where to route
For delays or differences, route the family to a general developmental check at the nearest health facility or a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre. For fits, breathing trouble, or sudden loss of skills, route to a doctor urgently. You are the bridge — a timely referral from you can open years of opportunity for that child.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from a checklist or a home visit. Your role is to spot and refer with confidence. With [70+ centres across 4 states](/) and a structured clinician-administered assessment, the families you refer are met with warmth and a clear plan. Many will begin with speech and developmental therapy once assessed.Trusted sources
WHO and UNICEF Nurturing Care Framework on early childhood development; CDC developmental milestone guidance; WHO ICF model of functioning.Next step — Spotted a child who needs a closer look? Help the family book a developmental assessment at a Pinnacle centre.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Late or lost milestones, no response to name or eye contact, floppy or stiff body, one-sided weakness, a worried parent, or fits and staring spells (doctor urgently).
Try this at home
During home visits, ask the family one simple question for the child's age — like 'Does she point at things she wants?' Their answer often tells you more than any single observation.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-11 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Do I need to know what condition the child has before referring?
No. Your role is to notice and route, never to diagnose. If milestones are late, a skill is lost, or a parent is worried, refer for a general developmental check — the clinicians will take it from there.
What should I do if a child has fits or sudden loss of skills?
Route the family to a doctor urgently. Fits, staring spells, sudden jerks or loss of skills are medical concerns that need prompt medical attention, not therapy first.
How much should I trust a parent's worry?
A great deal. Persistent parental concern is one of the most reliable early signals of a developmental difference, even when the child seems fine in a short visit. Always take it seriously and refer.