Early Signs Your Child May Need Extra Support

Every child grows at their own pace, so it can be hard to know when a late first word or wobbly first step deserves a closer look. Knowing the signs of child development delay helps you notice when your child may need some extra support, and acting early can make a real difference. This guide explains what milestones measure, the signs worth watching for between 6 and 18 months, and who to talk to if something is worrying you. It also covers how a GP visit at Harpley Doctors in Werribee fits alongside your Maternal and Child Health nurse.

What developmental milestones measure

Developmental milestones are skills most children develop within a certain age range, such as smiling, sitting, walking, talking and playing with others. According to healthdirect’s guide to developmental milestones, most children learn these skills in the same order, but not always at the same time. Some children walk or talk earlier or later than others, and that is normal.

Doctors and nurses look across several areas of development:

• Gross motor skills: big body movements such as rolling, sitting, crawling and walking.
• Fine motor skills: small movements such as holding toys, using cutlery, scribbling or getting dressed.
• Social and emotional development: how your child bonds with others, shows feelings, plays and reacts to new people or separation.
• Cognitive skills: how your child thinks, learns, solves problems and explores.
• Speech and language: how your child hears, makes sounds, uses words and understands what others say.

Signs of child development delay to watch for by age

The signs of child development delay below come from healthdirect, which lists them as reasons to speak with your doctor or child health nurse. One item on its own does not mean something is wrong, but it is worth raising.

By 6 months

Speak with a health professional if your baby:

• does not make babbling sounds such as “aah” or “ooh”
• does not reach for or hold toys
• does not roll, or lift their head and shoulders when lying on their tummy
• does not smile or show interest in people
• does not respond to sounds or follow things with their eyes.

By 9 months

Watch for a baby who does not babble sounds like “bubu” or “dada”, does not pass toys from one hand to the other, is not moving around by crawling or bottom shuffling, does not take weight on their legs when held standing, or does not respond to familiar words such as their name.

By 12 months

Signs include not saying any clear words, not copying sounds or gestures, not sitting without support, not trying to pull up to stand, and not feeding themselves finger foods or holding a bottle or cup.

By 18 months

At this age, raise it with your doctor if your toddler does not use simple words to communicate, does not follow short instructions such as “come here”, does not try to feed themselves with a spoon or help with dressing, does not try to stack blocks or scribble, or does not walk or try to walk on their own.

Why acting early matters

If a child has not met a milestone by the time most children do, healthdirect notes it could be a sign of a developmental delay, and that early intervention can make a big difference. It can support your child’s development, improve their learning and communication, and help them build important life skills. Harpley Doctors lists early intervention for children and adolescents among its services.

Regular checks help pick up delays early, but it still helps to watch how your child grows between visits. Our article on preventive health checks at every stage of life explains why routine checks are worth keeping up.

Your Maternal and Child Health nurse and your GP

In Victoria, the Maternal and Child Health Service is a free universal service for all families with children from birth to school age. You can also call the 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29 for advice from an MCH nurse.

Your GP is another place to start. Harpley Doctors offers children’s health assessments and developmental checks as part of its broader paediatric health care. Several of our doctors list an interest in children’s health: Dr Arezoo Mirzaei, Dr Reda Aboelsaad and Dr Tina Dolatabadizadeh include paediatrics, Dr Farzana Yasmin focuses on child health and childhood nutrition, Dr Khalida Batool includes children’s health, and Dr Dharani Kalehe Enderage has a background in maternal and child health. You can read more about each of them on our team page.

Preparing for the appointment

Standard consultations run for up to 15 minutes, so a little preparation helps. Before you come in:

• Write down which skills you are unsure about and roughly when you first noticed.
• List any questions, starting with the one that worries you most.
• Bring your child’s Medicare card, and photo ID if you are new to the practice.

A developmental check is also a good moment to confirm your child’s childhood immunisations are up to date. If you are visiting for the first time, our new patient registration guide explains what to bring and how to fill in the form before you arrive.

Booking a check at Harpley Doctors

Harpley Doctors is at T20, 1 Hindson Street, Werribee, in Harpley Town Centre. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, weekends from 9 am to 5 pm and public holidays from 10 am to 3 pm. You can book an appointment online through HealthEngine or call (03) 8731 1330, and walk-ins are always welcome.

All consultations and procedures at Harpley Doctors are bulk billed. See the Patient Info and Fees page for fees and practice policies.

Knowing the signs of child development delay is about noticing, not diagnosing, so if something does not feel right, talk to your GP or MCH nurse. If your child is unwell rather than slow to reach a milestone, our guide on when to take your child to a GP can help you decide what to do next. In an emergency, always call 000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for my child to reach milestones later than other children?

Yes, often it is. All children grow and develop at their own pace, and some walk or talk earlier or later than others. Missing a milestone well beyond the usual age range is the point to speak with your doctor or child health nurse.

Should I see my GP or my Maternal and Child Health nurse first?

Either is a good place to start. Healthdirect advises speaking with your doctor or child health nurse if you are worried about your child’s progress. In Victoria you can also call the Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29, any time of day.

Does a developmental check cost anything at Harpley Doctors?

No. All consultations at Harpley Doctors are bulk billed.

Can I bring my child in on a weekend?

Yes. Harpley Doctors is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Our article on weekend and extended GP hours in Werribee has the full opening times.