Developmental Milestones for Children With Down Syndrome

Developmental milestones are an important and gratifying part of raising a child. If your child has Down syndrome, developmental milestones will be different, and it’s important to know what to expect. Your pediatrician can help. Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL, provide a wide range of medical services for children, including developmental assessments.

What You Need to Know about Developmental Milestones for Children with Down Syndrome

When your child has Down syndrome, it means your child was born with an additional 21^st chromosome. The extra chromosome can result in developmental delays and challenges. Delays in motor skills are common, so you will see delays in sitting, crawling, walking, and using the hands and fingers. Your child will also most likely have delayed speech.

Down syndrome children on average will reach developmental milestones 1.5 to 2 times later than other children, according to the National Down Syndrome Congress. Down syndrome children will eventually reach the developmental milestones. It just takes a little longer.

These are some important developmental milestones for Down syndrome children, compared to typical children. According to the National Down Syndrome Congress, a Down syndrome child will:

• Smile, within 2 months, compared to 1 month for a typical child
• Roll over, within 8 months, compared to 5 months for a typical child
• Sit unassisted, within 10 months, compared to 7 months or a typical child
• Crawl, within 12 months, compared to 8 months for a typical child
• Talk in words, within 16 months, compared to 10 months for a typical child
• Stand, within 20 months, compared to 11 months for a typical child
• Walk, within 24 months, compared to 13 months for a typical child
• Talk in phrases, withing 28 months, compared to 21 months for a typical child

Want to Know More about Developmental Milestones for Children with Down Syndrome?

To discover more about developmental milestones for children with down syndrome, talk with the experts. Call Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL. You can reach them in the office by calling (708) 364-1600, so call today.