Recognizing the Signs and Understanding the Causes of Developmental Delays in Children
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we understand how concerning it can be for parents to notice that their child is not meeting expected developmental milestones. While every child grows at their own pace, significant delays in movement, speech, social skills, or cognition may indicate a birth injury or underlying medical condition.
When developmental delays are caused by preventable medical mistakes, families deserve answers—and justice. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent medical providers accountable and helping children access the resources they need for a brighter future.
What Are Developmental Delays?
Developmental delays occur when a child does not reach key milestones at the expected age. These milestones may involve:
Motor Skills
Rolling over, crawling, walking, or grasping objects
Language and Communication
Babbling, saying words, forming sentences
Cognitive Abilities
Learning, problem-solving, understanding concepts
Social and Emotional Skills
Making eye contact, playing with others, responding to emotions
Some children may eventually catch up with extra support, while others may face long-term challenges that require medical interventions, therapy, and special education services.
What Causes Developmental Delays?
Many developmental delays result from brain injuries sustained before, during, or shortly after birth. In some cases, these injuries are preventable and caused by medical malpractice.
Birth Injuries That Can Lead to Developmental Delays
Oxygen Deprivation (Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy – HIE)
Lack of oxygen during labor and delivery can cause permanent brain damage, often leading to conditions like cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and motor impairments.
Traumatic Birth Injuries
Excessive force during delivery, misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors, or failure to perform a timely C-section can result in brain bleeds, nerve damage, and skull fractures.
Undiagnosed or Untreated Maternal Infections
Certain infections during pregnancy or labor (such as Group B Strep, chorioamnionitis, and meningitis) can severely impact a baby’s developing brain.
Mismanaged Premature Births
Babies born too early are at a higher risk for neurological complications, particularly if doctors fail to provide proper prenatal care or neonatal treatment.
Jaundice and Kernicterus
When severe jaundice goes untreated, it can lead to kernicterus, a dangerous brain condition that causes lifelong motor and cognitive impairments.
When doctors and hospitals fail to recognize or properly manage these conditions, they put newborns at risk of lifelong disabilities.
Recognizing Signs of Developmental Delays
Every child is different, but missing multiple milestones or displaying unusual behaviors can be an early warning sign of a neurological disorder or birth injury.
Signs of Developmental Delays by Age
By 6 Months
- Difficulty holding up their head
- Stiff or floppy muscle tone
- Lack of eye contact or social smiling
- Limited movement of arms and legs
By 12 Months
- Not crawling or attempting to stand
- Difficulty grasping objects
- No babbling or first words
- Limited response to sounds or their name
By 2 Years
- Not walking or using simple phrases
- Poor coordination or frequent falling
- Lack of interest in social interactions
By 3-4 Years
- Difficulty with speech and understanding instructions
- Trouble with fine motor skills (e.g., using crayons, stacking blocks)
- Avoidance of eye contact or extreme emotional reactions
If you notice persistent delays in your child’s development, it’s critical to seek medical evaluation as early as possible.
When Developmental Delays Are Linked to Medical Negligence
Medical errors that cause brain injuries or other complications can irreversibly impact a child’s development. Common medical mistakes include:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Delayed or denied emergency C-section
- Mismanagement of high-risk pregnancies
- Improper use of delivery tools (forceps, vacuum extractors)
- Failure to diagnose maternal infections or umbilical cord complications
When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, families should not bear the burden alone.
How Early Diagnosis and Treatment Can Help
If your child has a developmental delay, early intervention can significantly improve their abilities and independence. Potential treatments include:
Physical Therapy
Strengthens muscles and improves coordination
Speech Therapy
Helps with communication skills
Occupational Therapy
Develops fine motor skills and daily functions
Special Education Services
Provides tailored learning strategies
Assistive Devices
Tools like braces, wheelchairs, and communication boards
If a birth injury caused your child’s developmental delays, financial compensation can help cover lifelong medical care, therapies, and support services.
We Fight for Children with Birth Injuries and Developmental Delays
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we understand that a diagnosis of developmental delays can be overwhelming for parents. If your child’s condition was caused by medical negligence, you deserve answers—and justice. Reach out to our trusted birth injury lawyers for a free case evaluation today.
Your child’s future is worth fighting for, and we’re here to stand by your side every step of the way.
