Yesterday, I listed 5 red flags that you should watch for in your toddler. All of these things signal that something could be wrong. Keep in mind of course, that toddlers are little people and they develop on their own time table. However, if you sense that something is wrong you should always speak to your pediatrician, even if you can’t pin point exactly what it is. Many doctors will say that mothering ‘instincts’ are the best when it comes to early diagnosis of problems. (And often times early diagnosis equals more successful intervention.) With that said, here are 5 more red flags you should watch for:
6. Your toddler seems very clumsy.
It is normal for toddlers to be clumsy. In fact, my twins are just shy of their second birthday, both girls are very adventurous and they are bruised from head to toe from their mishaps. However, if the clumsiness seems more serious (like going to set a block down on a table and missing the table or running into a wall) you may have cause for concern. The most common cause of clumsiness in toddlers (other than a good adventurous spirit) is a visual problem.
7. Your toddler moves uncontrollably.
If you notice unusual movement in your toddler that seems to be uncontrolled and involuntary; like a tic or a seizure for example, you should have your child to be evaluated. It may turn out to be nothing but can be the symtpom of a variety of motor disorders.
8. Your toddler has trouble grasping and manipulating objects.
A certain amount of inability to grasp and manipulate objects is normal in toddlerhood. Many skills like brushing teeth, or feeding himself require multiple muscle groups and a series of complex steps. However, if your older toddler (more than 18 months) has trouble with stacking cups or blocks for example, this is cause for some concern. Again, this can be caused by a variety of things.
9. Your toddler drools and has difficulty eating.
It is very normal for your toddler to suddenly decide that orange foods are the only acceptable one in his diet. In this case, it should be said as well, that sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between what a toddler won’t do and what a toddler can’t do. However, if the difficulty is consistent and/or seems to affects his ability to eat he may have a sensory processing disorder or an oral motor disorder.
10. Your toddler’s motor skills are regressing instead of progressing.
This red flag is serious and ALWAYS warrants a full medical evaluation. Regression in skills when confronted with a new situation is normal. For example, when you have a new baby you may notice that your toddler wants to be carried, or asks for a bottle when he hasn’t done either for many months. This is normal acting out and will resolve in a few months after everyone has adjusted to the situation. However, losing the ability to climb, or walk or crawl for example is serious and can be caused by a neurological disorder, progressive disease such as cancer or even encephalitis.