Even though all children go through the same development stages, every child goes through those stages at their own pace. Some children develop quickly and others at a slower pace. Sometimes, those children who develop at a slower pace may catch up with other children their age. However, in some cases, there may be a delay in development. A developmental delay occurs when a child does not develop basic skills (for example, walking or talking) by a certain age. If you feel there is an extreme difference between the social, emotional, or motor skills development of your child and other children of the same age, then it is possible they may have a mental health issue.

Luckily, young children are good at showing their parents when they are in a healthy state - they are curious, enchanting, persistent, and confident. When young children are in an unhealthy state, they can be listless, distracted, aggressive, or insecure.

The information on the following pages can help you compare your child’s development with other children their age. It can also help you identify any symptoms that may be a cause for concern. A mental health issue in a young child means that they are unable to experience, regulate, and express emotions appropriately; form close relationships with their caregivers; explore and act on their environment; and learn. 

Possible Mental Health Diagnoses

Possible mental health diagnoses within this symptom cluster include:

• Autism spectrum disorders (pervasive developmental disorders)
• Feeding disorders
• Reactive attachment disorder (RAD)