Delayed Development and Behavior Issues in Toddlers

The toddler years can be quite challenging. He will begin to leave the safety of your side as he embarks on his adventure to find his own way in the world. As his intellectual ability grows, he experiences and copes with new emotions, and he steps out into a wider social environment. Many toddlers have behavior issues; even though most are short-lived, you may find them exhausting. On-going issues or delays in his development, though, may be signs of a longer-term problem.

  1. Developmental Delay

    • Around 1 in 6 children suffers from a developmental disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the number is increasing. Use a milestone checklist to compare your toddler̵7;s abilities with those expected of most kids of his age. Signs he may be falling behind can include not following simple instructions at 2 years, failing to learn to jump or hold a crayon at 3 to 4 years, or ignoring other children at 4 years. Developmental delays may have an impact on his behavior -- for example, he may become frustrated that he cannot carry out activities that are expected of him, such as helping to dress himself.

    Behavior Issues

    • Behavior that you may considered unacceptable in an older child can be part of a normal developmental stage for your toddler. Still restricted to a small, though rapidly growing, vocabulary, she cannot explain her feelings and may resort to temper tantrums or even aggressive biting and kicking to grab your attention. She aims for increased independence, so she may refuse to eat her dinner or run away when you try to dress her. These types of behavior do not indicate that a toddler has any developmental delay, though if they continue past her toddler years you may benefit from professional advice.

    Causes

    • Some developmental problems have direct links to behavior issues. If your toddler has autism spectrum disorder, he struggles to recognize how another person thinks or feels, has difficulty with understanding language and finds social situations unsettling. This can lead to unacceptable behavior, perhaps to uncontrolled violence or extreme terror of unusual situations. He may have a tendency to use unusual self-soothing behavior, like flapping his hands repeatedly. If he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, he may find self-regulation difficult, have poor concentration and language development and find it hard to sit quietly.

    Advice

    • A good relationship with your toddler helps you both cope when problems arise, points out the KidsHealth website. Use smiles and praise often when your toddler behaves in ways you approve. Be firm when he misbehaves: say ̶0;no̶1; and remove him from the situation, allowing him to calm down. A short time-out may give you both a breathing space. If your child has a developmental difficulty that affects his behavior, adjust your expectations and use your knowledge of him to anticipate and avoid potential problems. Seek advice for helping your toddler from professionals and from other parents facing similar problems.

    Warning

    • According to research published in ̶0;Social Health and Medicine̶1; the mother of a child who displays both developmental delays and behavior issues is at significant risk of problems with her own health. Be sure to seek support from a healthcare provider if you suspect your toddler may be falling behind other kids, especially if her behavior also gives you cause for concern.

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