Your child is growing every day. A thriving child is undoubtedly a joy to witness. What can you do if your child does not reach developmental milestones at the same rate as their peers? Dr. Clifford Seyler, the pediatric doctor for Royal Pediatrics, Tullahoma Pediatrics, and Manchester Pediatrics in Tullahoma, Manchester, and Fayetteville, TN, is a board-certified pediatrician who can talk with you about your child's developmental milestones.
What is a Developmental Milestone?
When your child is born, they start rapidly developing chemically in the production of hormones and physically by getting stronger daily to do such things as hold up their head and grasp items held out to them.
Developmental milestones are characteristic functional tasks that your child should be able to carry out appropriately for their age. For example, a six-month-old child should be able to laugh or hold items to their mouth. A five-year-old child should be able to hop or write some of their alphabet.
Our Pediatric Doctor's Role in Developmental Milestones
Regular wellness checkups are important for your growing child. Our pediatric doctor will meet and observe your child's behavior. Wellness checks are your opportunity to ask questions about any tasks that may be hard for your child to accomplish.
Our doctor can use a developmental screening during your visit to gauge if your child is behind or ahead of the appropriate milestones. Our pediatrician professionals at Royal Pediatrics, Tullahoma Pediatrics, and Manchester Pediatrics in Tullahoma, Manchester, and Fayetteville, TN, can give you a checklist of developmental milestones your child should naturally reach around the age of their checkup.
Our doctor is looking for the appropriate developmental skills, such as:
- Fine Motor Skills - Ability to draw, write, and pinch items with their fingers
- Gross Motor Skills - Standing, running, and balancing appropriately using large muscle groups
- Cognitive Skills - Ability to problem-solve and use skills to reason out problems
- Language Skills - Communicate with you appropriately, whether using hand gestures or body language
- Social Skills - Age-appropriate interactions with family or friends like smiling, cooing, playing together, and considering others' feelings
If you and our doctor notice delayed developments in your child, you can discuss how to deal with your child's delays and the possible treatment options available. Our doctor works tirelessly with you and helps coordinate services if your child needs additional testing or therapy.
Schedule Your Child's Wellness Appointment Today
Our pediatrician, Dr. Seyler of Tullahoma Pediatrics, Manchester Pediatrics, and Royal Pediatrics located in Tullahoma, Manchester, and Fayetteville, TN, is awaiting your phone call at Royal Pediatrics, (931) 297-4400, Tullahoma Pediatrics, (931) 455-2674 and Manchester Pediatrics (931) 954-5248 in Tullahoma, Manchester, and Fayetteville, TN.