Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 8/5/2009

Question
My God daughter whom I often watch seems to be delayed in many areas.  She is 13 months old and does not seem to have typical behavior of babies her age.  She was born with a lack of blood, only about a 1/3rd in her system and immediately had to have a blood transfusion.  For a long time she favored her right side and rarely made eye contact. Now that she is 13 months old she has had eye surgery to correct her lazy eye which has helped with some of her ability to follow objects but still does not make much eye contact. Although she will and when she has had a good nap she will smile.

She constantly wants to be held or she tantrums until you pick her up. This is not a typical tantrum. It is like can't stop crying not that she does not want to. The only other time she seems to be happy is if she is in her swing.  She loves rocking.

She can roll over from her stomach to her back, but hates being on her stomach.

She will not tuck her legs under her to try and crawl. Screaming if you make her try until her pick her up.

She does not sit up on her own although if you sit her up she can.

She will not hold her bottle

Rarely will she grab for toys and does not seem to have an interest in doing so. She tend to like object that are not very complex.  Remote, crayon, plastic lid, cup.

She says mama and dada but no other words.

She has jerky movements and still does not use pinchers but only grasp whole hand.

She is still very small only weighing about 15lbs and is only 23-24 inches in height.

She does not move, I even goes as far as saying she appears to be lazy. Not want to kick her legs or mover her arms. Lays still most of the time and is content although I do not believe there is anything wrong physically.

Her mother and father know that she is delayed slightly but do not seem to think that it is that big of a deal.  They say that all kids develop at different rates but it seems to me having a back ground with working with children with developmental disabilities that there is something more to it. A person from the school works with her and has mentioned that she does have some delays but no one has ever taken her to a specialist. I am fearful that if I say something without knowing all the facts it will cause problems.  I am not sure that this would be defined as autism or maybe MR or maybe she had a stroke at birth.  Could you help me in my search for information on this child.  I truly feel there is something wrong but just not sure what.

Answer
Hi Heather

You are right and this child needs some serious attention. But it is really up to the child's doctor, at this point, to recommend that the parent bring her to a place that specializes in early intervention therapy. It is not uncommon for children who have been medically compromised at birth have developmental issues.

You can only recommend-but you are in a bad position, so I would probably just tell the parents that they should check with the doctors that see this child. Let the parents know that even a slight delay can really cause terrible issues later on. Though there is more than a slight delay if the child is not sitting up on her own. (This skill is usually present at 4 months.) Obviously she won't crawl and walk if she doesn't have the motor ability to sit up.

I hope for this child's sake that they get her into therapy soon.
Keep me posted