Monitoring Baby Milestones and Neurodivergent Traits
Watching your little one grow is a journey filled with excitement and questions. Parents naturally look for assurance by checking
Our practice specializes in early intervention in Denver County, CO, and Burlington County, NJ. We provide in-home care that looks at the whole child—not just a checklist. We support families in navigating the complexities of development, ensuring that children with language delays, autism, or unique processing styles receive the affirming, strengths-based support they need to flourish.
The Importance of Tracking Baby Milestones
Developmental markers serve as a guide for parents and professionals to gauge a child's progress. Missing certain baby milestones doesn't always mean there is a problem, but it is a signal to pay closer attention. Early identification of delays allows us to intervene when the brain is most adaptable, turning potential struggles into opportunities for growth and learning.
Communication Milestones to Watch
Language development is a major focus for new parents. Key baby milestones include cooing at 2 months, babbling at 6 months, and saying first words around the first birthday. If your child is not meeting these targets, or if their speech seems "scripted" or echolalic, our specialized expertise in Gestalt Language Processing can help you understand their unique route to communication.
Social and Emotional Milestones
Beyond words, social interaction is a critical area of development. Smiling back at parents, making eye contact, and showing interest in other children are all significant baby milestones. However, neurodivergent children may connect differently. We help families recognize and validate these alternative forms of connection, ensuring that every child feels seen and understood for who they are.
Demystifying Neurodiversity: What is Stimming?
As children develop, they may exhibit behaviors that look different from their peers. Parents often ask us,
Stimming is Self-Regulation
The world can be an intense place for young children, especially those with sensory processing differences. When you ask what is stimming, the answer is often "coping." It allows a child to manage anxiety, excitement, or sensory overload. In our therapy sessions, we respect these behaviors as signs of how a child is feeling, using them as cues to adjust the environment or activity to better suit their needs.
Stimming and Joy
It is important to recognize that stimming is often an expression of pure happiness. "Happy flapping" or jumping when excited are wonderful displays of joy. By reframing what is stimming in a positive light, we help parents appreciate their child's uninhibited expression. Our goal is to protect this joy while building the communication skills necessary for the child to share their excitement with others.
Our Approach to Pediatric Therapy
We provide a holistic, supportive environment that integrates milestone tracking with a deep respect for neurodiversity.
In-Home Therapy: We bring our expertise to your living room, ensuring your child learns in a comfortable, natural setting.
Strengths-Based Care: We focus on what your child can do, using their interests and abilities as the foundation for learning new skills.
Autism & GLP Expertise: We are specialists in supporting autistic children and Gestalt Language Processors, using methods that align with how their brains work.
Parent Education: We teach you how to track milestones and interpret behaviors like stimming, making you the expert on your child.
Bilingual Support: Our English-Spanish services ensure that language development is supported in the context of your family's culture and home life.
Sensory Integration: We incorporate sensory strategies into our sessions to help children stay regulated and engaged.
Social-Emotional Focus: We prioritize building strong, trusting relationships, which are the precursor to all meaningful communication.
Conclusion
Your child's development is a unique story, blending standard baby milestones with their own individual traits. Whether you are celebrating a first word or learning to understand what is stimming, we are here to support you. Our in-home services in CO and NJ provide the expert guidance you need to navigate this journey with love and confidence.
We believe in a world where every child is celebrated for exactly who they are. If you are looking for a partner in your child's growth—one who values neurodiversity and authentic connection—contact us today. Let’s work together to help your child reach their full potential, one milestone and one joyful moment at a time.
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