Identify Developmental Issues

The criteria and behaviors provided on this page may indicate there is a problem that requires intervention.



Infants (0-12 Months)


  • Does not notice when touched or when things are going on nearby
  • Jumpy or jittery, over-reacting to noise, touches or light
  • Lack of harmony between parent and child
  • Never smiles, cries or responds to caregiver
  • Too much fussing or crying, inability to be soothed or comforted

Toddlers (1-3 Years)


  • Delays of at least 6 months in walking, talking, social or other behavior
  • Aggressive behavior directed at other people or things
  • Delayed language
  • Hand waving or hand-clapping that does not stop
  • Lack of play activity or imitation of parents
  • Overly dependent or overly obedient
  • Persistent unhappiness or crying
  • Self-destructive behavior such as biting or head banging
  • Unable to become connected to people who take care of the child
  • Uncontrollable anger

Preschoolers & Kindergartners (4-6 Years)


  • Aggressive behavior
  • Anxious or fearful, depressed mood, total lack of interest in or withdrawing from other people
  • Daytime toileting problems
  • Lack of confidence, which keeps the child from having fun
  • Not interested in or unable to play with other children
  • Persistent constipation or diarrhea
  • Persistent eating or sleeping problems
  • Refusal to comply with rules and expectations
  • Unable to control his/her own behaviors
  • Unable to separate from parents
  • Unable to verbally express wants and needs

School-Age Children (7-12 Years)


  • Acting out sexual behaviors that are inappropriate for the child's age
  • Aggressive or hurtful behavior
  • Constant refusal to comply with rules at home or at school
  • Continued resistance to attending school
  • Depressed mood, loss of interest in activities and relationships
  • Easily distracted or unable to pay attention
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, suicidal talk to action
  • Headaches or stomach aches that keep occurring but don't seem to have a cause
  • Inability to develop values, morals, relationships or educational goals
  • Lying, stealing, fire-starting, cruelty to animals
  • Poor school work, including being very behind in reading or math
  • School work or attendance that is going downhill
  • Sexual or physical aggression
  • Trouble sleeping or difficulty with eating
  • Truancy, chemical abuse, running away

Adolescents (13-19 Years)


  • Anxious, nervous
  • Change in dress, mood
  • Chronic resistance to complying with rules at home, school or in the community
  • Conflicts around personal identity, such as values, morality, relationships, sexuality, vocational or educational goals
  • Declining school performance or attendance
  • Depressed mood, loss of interest in activities and relationships, isolated, lack or friends
  • Difficult concentrating, remembering or making decisions
  • Dramatic personality changes
  • Eating disorder, unusual eating patterns
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, suicidal talk or action, giving away possessions
  • Lack of remorse
  • Lying, stealing, fire-starting, cruelty to animals
  • Sexual intrusiveness or promiscuity
  • Sexual or physical aggression towards others
  • Trouble sleeping or difficult with eating
  • Truancy, chemical abuse, running away