Cognitive impairment is the absence, or delay, of development in cognitive abilities. Cognitive impairment can be associated with autism and learning disabilities, as well as problems or delayed development in other areas, particularly language and social abilities. Common signs of cognitive impairment include difficulties with spoken or written language, behavioral issues and lack of self-control, poor coordination, and low attention spans. The Developmental Milestones Guide serves as a resource to help professionals identify possible delays in cognitive and other developmental skills, allowing for better goal planning and treatments.

In our guide, you’ll find tables listing specific developmental milestones for each category, including fine and gross motor skills, self-care, cognitive abilities, and language development, as well as attention and areas which have direct impact on each other. We strive to increase the understanding that these milestones are only a guide, and that because each child is unique the age at which they reach these milestones may vary. Each page of the guide includes a section listing the age, including years and months, at which children typically develop the particular milestone, again acknowledging that there are variances in when a child achieves a specific milestone.