Common Developmental Delays

Developmental delays can range from mild to severe. This article provides some developmental benchmarks to help you identify these delays.

In this article, you will find:

Introduction
Self-regulation milestones
Fine motor benchmarks
Gross motor benchmarks
Visual-perceptual benchmarks
Self-help benchmarks
Speech-language benchmarks
Cognitive benchmarks
Social-emotional benchmarks

Self-help benchmarks

Some self-help benchmarks are listed below.

By about twelve months:

  • finger feeds and holds a spoon

  • drinks from a cup held for him

  • cooperates with dressing by presenting arms and legs

By about eighteen months:

  • holds and drinks from a cup all by herself

  • shows discomfort with soiled diaper

  • can remove loose socks and hat

By about twenty-four months:

  • scoops food with spoon to self-feed

  • rubs soapy hands and dries with help

  • sits on potty or adapted toilet with help

  • can remove shoes with laces undone

By third year:

  • uses a fork to stab food

  • undresses by himself (except for fasteners) and dresses with supervision

  • buttons larger buttons

  • uses toilet, needing help with clothing and wiping

By fifth year:

  • dresses independently

  • grooms hair independently

  • brushes teeth independently

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