When your child is growing and changing every day, it can be hard to know what is normal and what might need attention.

Maybe they are not walking yet. Maybe they seem off balance or fall often. Maybe you have a gut feeling that something is just not progressing the way it should. You may wonder: is this just a phase, or is there something deeper going on?

At HEROES Physical Therapy, we talk to parents like you every week. These are thoughtful, observant, deeply loving caregivers who are not looking for a label, but looking for help. This article is for you.

What Developmental Delays Can Look Like

Every child develops on their own timeline, but there are general milestones that help guide expectations. When a child is delayed in reaching certain physical, sensory, or motor milestones, it does not always mean there is a serious condition present. However, it may signal that extra support could make a big difference.

Common early physical milestones include:

• Rolling over (by 4–6 months)

• Sitting independently (by 6–8 months)

• Crawling (by 9–11 months)
  

• Standing or cruising (by 11–13 months)

• Walking independently (by 12–15 months)

These ranges are not rigid, but if your child misses multiple milestones or seems to plateau in development, it is worth paying attention.

7 Signs There May Be More Than a Delay

Here are some signs that your child’s physical development might benefit from a deeper look by a pediatric physical therapist:

1. No interest in moving

Some children are simply calm and content. Others avoid movement because it feels hard or uncomfortable. If your baby is not reaching for toys, rolling, or exploring their body in space, that could point to a deeper issue.

2. Skipping crawling

Crawling is not required for every child, but it plays a key role in developing coordination between left and right sides of the body, core strength, and visual tracking. Skipping crawling altogether may suggest underdeveloped motor planning.

3. Stiff or floppy muscle tone

Some children feel very stiff and resist being moved. Others feel extremely floppy or “like a rag doll.” Both can indicate abnormalities in muscle tone that physical therapy is specifically designed to support.

4. Delays paired with sensory concerns

If your child is not meeting motor milestones and also avoids textures, hates being touched, fears movement, or craves intense motion, there may be underlying sensory regulation needs in addition to physical delays.

5. Uneven development

Is your child advanced in speech or social interaction but way behind in physical movement? Discrepancies across domains can point to deeper challenges that are not caused by lack of effort or time.

6. Frequent falls beyond toddler years

All toddlers fall. But if your child continues to fall frequently after age two, struggles to coordinate their movements, or avoids certain tasks due to fear of falling, there may be vestibular or proprioceptive issues at play.

7. Worsening posture or movement over time

Delays are not always static. If your child’s balance, walking pattern, or head and trunk control seem to be getting worse rather than improving, it is time for a full evaluation.

What Causes Developmental Delays?

There are many possible reasons a child may experience delays in physical development. Some are structural (muscle weakness, joint instability, neurological conditions), while others are sensory, behavioral, or adaptive. Common contributing factors include:

• Cerebral palsy

• Genetic or chromosomal conditions

• Premature birth

• Low or high muscle tone

• Undiagnosed neurological conditions

• Sensory processing disorder

• Lack of opportunity for movement (often due to medical complexity or prolonged equipment use)

You do not need a diagnosis to seek help. Pediatric physical therapy is often the first step in discovering what your child truly needs and how they can grow beyond what is currently holding them back.

What If It’s “Just a Delay”?

That is still good information to have. When we evaluate children at HEROES Physical Therapy, we are not looking to assign a label. We are looking to understand each child’s unique developmental pattern, strengths, and needs. Sometimes we find that no formal therapy is needed. Other times, a brief burst of therapy provides just the boost a child needs to get back on track.

There is no harm in asking. But there can be real missed opportunities when parents are told to wait and see without guidance.

Early Intervention Makes a Difference

Pediatric therapy is most effective during early childhood, when the brain and body are still forming new pathways quickly. This period of high plasticity allows therapists to make significant gains in a relatively short period.

What early therapy supports:

• Core strength and posture

• Movement coordination and motor planning

• Brain-body connection

• Sensory processing

• Confidence and independence

• Family understanding and empowerment

Waiting too long can result in patterns becoming more ingrained, self-confidence dropping, or muscles becoming weaker. A delay in support often leads to a longer timeline of intervention later.

What a HEROES Evaluation Looks Like

We know the word “evaluation” can feel intimidating. At HEROES, we keep it warm, calm, and supportive. Here is what to expect:

• A full developmental history

• Observations of posture, strength, balance, and coordination

• Play-based assessment that feels like exploration

• Gentle handling (no forcing or rushing)

• Immediate conversation with you about what we see and recommend

• A plan of care if therapy is indicated

• A chance to ask every question you have

Our evaluations are always caregiver-inclusive. You are never left in the dark. You are a critical part of your child’s growth and we make sure you feel like it.

How to Decide If You Should Reach Out

You might still be wondering if your child “qualifies” for therapy. But here is the truth: if you are asking the question, it is worth calling. You do not need a doctor’s referral to reach out. You do not need to wait until things get worse.

Therapy is not just for kids with a diagnosis. It is for any child who needs support in movement, coordination, or confidence.

At HEROES Physical Therapy, we are here to walk with you as you figure it out. We will never pressure you. We will never rush your child. But we will always be honest about what we see and how we can help.

To learn more, visit heroespt.com.