Developmental Milestones
Stray-Gundersen, K. (Ed.)
Babies with Down syndrome: A new parents guide (2nd Ed.), p. 158, 160-1.
Reprinted with the permission of Woodbine House
E-Mail: info@woodbinehouse.com
Copyright © 1997 by Woodbine House, Inc.
All rights reserved

     Figure 1 presents developmental milestones in each major area of growth. It does not specify an age for each skill, but places the skill in the developmental phase in which it usually occurs. There is a very wide span of time for "normal" development, and your baby with Down syndrome may experience a sequence different from other children. Use the chart [...] as an overview of development, a general road map.

 Phase I: 0-8 MonthsPhase II: 8-14 MonthsPhase III: 14-24 MonthsPhase IV: 24-36 Months
Gross Motor
  • head control
  • turns over
  • sits
  • crawl
  • pulls to stand
  • cruises
  • lowers self from standing position
  • walks alone
  • climbs upstairs
  • stops and recovers
  • climbs into chairs
  • stands on one foot
  • walks up/down stairs holding on
  • kicks/throws ball
  • rides mobility toy
  • runs, climbs
  • jumps in place
  • pulls wagon
  • rides tricycle
Fine Motor
  • looks at hands
  • follows with eyes 180°
  • brings hands together
  • reaches
  • explores objects with hands
  • transfers objects hand to hand
  • pincer grasp
  • scribbles
  • pushes toys
  • pokes at objects
  • one hand helps other
  • builds tower of cubes
  • completes simple puzzles
  • turns pages of book
  • turns knobs
  • string beads
  • works latches and hooks
  • turns pages of book singularly
  • snips with scissors
Language
  • listen to sounds
  • turns to sound
  • babbles
  • laughs
  • responds to own name
  • makes vowel sounds
  • recognizes names of common objects
  • enjoys listening to music
  • first spoken words
  • uses jargon
  • expands vocabulary
  • uses some phrases
  • names pictures
  • follows simple directions
  • names body parts
  • uses some adjectives (color, size)
  • ask questions
  • understands some prepositions
Cognitive
  • looks from one object to another
  • looks after fallen object
  • pull string to get object
  • uncovers toy he has seen hidden
  • imitates use of toy
  • find hidden toy (emergence of memory)
  • begins demonstrating cause and effect
  • uses objects as tools
  • fits related objects together
  • uses trial and error
  • can arrange objects by size
  • ability to use abstractions
  • draws recognizable face
  • understands "1", "2"
  • names common color
  • makes associations
Self Help
  • reaches for bottle
  • finger feeds
  • hold bottle
  • drinks from cup with help
  • drinks from cup with spilling
  • attempts spoon feeding
  • takes off socks
  • drinks from cup independently
  • combs hair
  • uses spoon independently
  • unzips
  • remove some clothes
  • partially toilet trained
  • scan put toys away
  • anticipates daily activities
  • pours
  • unties and removes shoes
  • puts on some clothes
  • toilet trained
Social
  • social smile
  • reaches for familiar person
  • smiles at mirror image
  • repeats performance laughed at
  • understands "no"
  • cries when parents leaves
  • can play alone short periods
  • understands parent as a resource
  • understands dramatic play/pretend
  • wants to be near other children
  • parallel play
  • negativism
  • expands imaginary role play
  • shows sense of ownership
  • can wait turn
  • can ask for help
  • works problems our with less action, more reasoning


 
  Revised: March 25, 1998.