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Red Flags

Red Flags:  Birth to 3 Months

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  • Does not respond to loud noises

  • Does not follow moving objects with eyes by 3 months 

  • Doesn’t smile at the sound of your voice by 2 months 

  • Doesn’t grasp and hold objects by 3 months 

  • Doesn’t smile at people by 3 months 

  • Cannot support head well at 3 months 

  • Doesn’t reach for and grasp toys by 4 months

  • Doesn’t bring objects to mouth by 4 months 

  • Doesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on a firm surface by 4 months 

  • Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions 

  • Crosses eyes most of the time (occasional crossing of the eyes is normal in these first months)

 

This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done. 

Red Flags:  4 to 7 Months

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  • Seems very stiff, tight muscles 

  • Seems very floppy, like a rag doll 

  • Head still flops back when body is pulled to sitting position (by 5 months still exhibits head lag) 

  • Shows no affection for the person who cares for them 

  • Doesn’t seem to enjoy being around people 

  • One or both eyes consistently turn in or out 

  • Respond with big smiles by age 5 months? 

  • Turn and look in response to new sounds by age 6 months? 

  • Persistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to light

  • Does not respond to sounds around them 

  • Has difficulty getting objects to mouth 

  • Does not turn head to locate sounds by 4 months 

  • Doesn’t roll over (stomach to back) by 6 months 

  • Cannot sit with help by 6 months (not by themselves) 

  • Does not laugh or make squealing sounds by 5 months 

  • Does not actively reach for objects by 6 months 

  • Does not follow objects with both eyes 

  • Does not bear some weight on legs by 5 months

 

This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done

Red Flags:  8 to 12 Months

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  • Does not show interest in games like “peek-a-boo” or “patty cake” by 9 months. 

  • Does not engage in turn taking activities with facial expression or eye gaze by 8 month

  • Does not crawl

  • Drags one side of body while crawling (for over one month) 

  • Does not stand when supported 

  • Does not sit steadily by 10 months. 

  • Does not babble by 10 months (dadada, bababa, mamama) 

  • Does not search for objects that are hidden (object permeance) by 10-12 months

  • Does not point and/or use gestures (waving hi/bye, shaking head no/yes, etc) by 12 months 

  • Does not coo or babble during play by 12 months 

  • Does not imitate large motor movements or imitate vocalizations by 12 months 

  • Does not have at least one word (ex. mama) that is used consistently by 13 months

  • Does not understand simple words like “mama” or “juice” by 12 months

 

This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done.

Red Flags:  13 to 17 Months

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  • Does not have at least one word (ex. mama) that is used consistently by 12 months

  • Does not begin to use single words in addition to “mama/dada” by 14-16 months 

  • Does not respond to name and simple instructions (ex. come here, stop) by 12-16 months

  • Does not point and/or use gestures (waving hi/bye, shaking head no/yes, etc) by 12 months 

  • Does not begin to point to familiar objects/pictures named (ie. Where is the dog?) by 13 months

  • Does not coo or babble during play by 12 months 

  • Does not imitate large motor movements or imitate vocalizations by 12 months 

  • Does not understand simple words like “mama” or “juice” by 12 months

  • Does not use at least a couple of consonants in babble/words like “m,b” (ex. mama, baba), etc 

  • Does not use some form of communication to let you know that s/he needs help by 12 months

  • Does not understand and/or respond to words such as “no, byebye” by 15 months

  • Does not say at least 3 words by 15 months

  • Does not point to simple body parts when asked by 16-17 months

  • Does not attempt to get your attention to show you a toy/object of interest

 

This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done.

Red Flags:  18 to 23 Months

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  • Does not walk by 18 months 

  • Does not use at least 6 words by 18 months

  • Does not follow simple verbal directions such as “Give me the ____” or “Show me your nose” by 21 months 

  • Does not look at you when you are talking or playing 

  • Does not play in close proximity to other children 

  • Prefers gestures to communicate over vocalizations by 18 months

  • Does not point out things of interest (ie. Bird or airplane overhead) by 20 months

  • Does not use at least six consonant sounds (ex. p,b,m,n,w,d) by 20 months 

  • Does not use pretend type play with dolls or self (brush hair, feed, put to bed, etc) by 21 months 

  • Does not appear to know the function of common household objects (ex. toothbrush, phone, fork, etc by 20 months

 

This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done.

Red Flags:  24 to 36 Months

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  • Child has limited words to express more than immediate needs=limited vocabulary

  • Has unusual tone of voice (raspy or nasal/sounds like they always have a stuffy nose)

  • Does not follow simple two step directions involving familiar objects (ie. Get the ball and put it on the table)

  • Does not put two words together (ex. hi dada, bye mama, mama go, etc) by 26 months

  • Does not sit to look at high interest books for at least a few minutes at a time

  • Does not point to many pictures of familiar objects in a book as you name them

  • Is not understood by adults and peers at least ½ the time (50%)

  • Does not appear to be having an explosion of new words that they are using spontaneously

  • Does not name at least 3 body parts by 30 months 

  • Does not use pretend play regularly by 30 months

  • Does not consistently use at least 2 word combinations by 30 months

  • Persistent drooling or very unclear speech by 32 months 

  • Uses imitated words more than spontaneously using words to communicate needs

  • Consistently echoes your questions vs. answering them

  • Is not understood by anyone in the family by 30 months

  • Does not show interest in communicating with others 

  • Has difficulty singing fragments of nursery rhymes by 32 months 

  • Does not ask simple questions by 36 months 

  • Does not articulate initial consonants of words by 36 months (ex. says “all” instead of “ball”) 

  • Does not name most common household objects by 36 months

  • Cannot understand two part commands and prepositions (“get the cup and put it on the table, get the ball that’s under the couch”, etc)

 

This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done.

Red Flags:  3 to 4 Years

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  • Frequent falling or difficulty climbing stairs 

  • Does not build a tower of more than 4 blocks 

  • Does not manipulate small objects well

  • Does not copy a circle by 36 months/3 yrs

  • Does not easily separate from primary caregiver 

  • Does not answer simple questions such as “who is that?, what do you want?, what is your dolls name?, where is your red truck?” by 36 months/3 yrs

  • Does not use 3-4 word sentences by 3 ½ yrs 

  • Does not accurately answer yes/no questions 

  • Has limited interest in toys 

  • Is not understood at least 75% of the time by adults and peers by 3 years 

  • Does not show interest in playing with other children

  • Has poor eye contact 

  • Does not use “me” or “you” appropriately by 4 yrs

  • Does not consistently use final consonants on words by 3 ½ yrs (ex. says “ca” for “cat”)

  • Is not understood most of the time by 4 yrs

  • Does not respond to people outside their immediate family

  • Does not engage in fantasy play by 4 yrs

  • Does not demonstrate any self-control when angry or upset instead lashes out 

  • Has difficulty scribbling

  • Does not have the ability to jump in place or ride a tricycle

  • Uses gestures or phrases instead of complete sentences by 3 ½ yrs

  • Has difficulty recalling names of common objects and overuses “it, that or thing” 

  • Does not have consistent understanding of basic language such as “in/out, under/over, before/after”, etc

  • Cannot give first and last name 

  • Does not use plurals or past tense (still makes mistakes with irregular past tense                                                 

  • This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done.

Red Flags:  4 to 5 Years

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  • Cannot throw a ball overhand 

  • Does not grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers 

  • Does not engage in fantasy play 

  • Can not differentiate between fantasy and reality 

  • Exhibits extremely aggressive, fearful or timid behavior 

  • Resists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet 

  • Does not use "me" and "you" correctly

  • Shows undue anxiety when presented with new situations (ie. Changes in routines or going to a birthday party) 

  • Seems “off topic” or makes inappropriate remarks to conversation even though she/he is very verbal 

  • Become “out of control” in unstructured settings 

  • Hit rather than using words to work through conflicts 

  • Have a difficult time in social or academic type settings even though he/she appears very bright 

  • Avoids other children or adults 

  • Difficulty cooperating with peers or participating in group activities even though very verbal 

  • Unusually passive 

  • Unable to express wide range of emotions 

  • Appears sad or unhappy most of the time

  • Easily distracted and/or unable to  concentrate on an activity for more than 5 minutes

 

This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done.

Red Flags:  5 to 6 Years

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  • Cannot brush teeth efficiently 

  • Has greater academic potential than he/she may be exhibiting in the classroom (6 years) 

  • Poor comprehension skills 

  • Difficulty remembering names and overuses words like “it, thing” 

  • Difficulty paying attention or listening in class 

  • Difficulty sequencing a 4-8 event story 

  • Difficulty sounding out words or knowing sounds based on letter 

  • Difficulty asking for help and repetition when needed 

  • Difficulty following multi-step directions and/or remembering information

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This list is to be used as a resource only. If you have any concerns based on this list, please contact your child’s pediatrician. An evaluation of their development may need to be done.

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