Is my child's development on track?
Every child grows at their own pace — but milestones give parents a clear, evidence-based way to know what most children do by each age. Use the free checklist below (based on the CDC's public "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones), read the speech & language guide, and know exactly when it's worth talking to a professional.
Developmental Milestone Checklist
Select your child's age. The list shows things most children (75% or more) can do by that age, across four areas of development. Tick what you have seen your child do.
Milestones adapted from the CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." program (public domain, 2022 revision). This checklist runs entirely in your browser — nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere. It is an educational guide, not a screening or diagnostic tool.
Speech & language: what usually happens when
By 12 months
Babbles with varied sounds, responds to their name, uses gestures like waving, and may say a first word such as "mama" or "baba".
By 18–24 months
Vocabulary grows quickly — from a handful of words to around 50. By two, most children join two words together like "more milk".
By 3–4 years
Speaks in short sentences, asks lots of questions, and is understood by people outside the family most of the time.
Bilingual homes: learning two languages (for example Urdu and English) does not cause speech delay. Count words from both languages together.
When to act early
Talk to your paediatrician — and ask about a hearing test and speech-language assessment — if you notice any of these:
Acting early is never a mistake. A hearing check is usually the first step, because even mild hearing loss can affect speech.
What to do next — and how we can help
1. See your paediatrician
Share the checklist results. Ask about hearing testing and a developmental or speech-language assessment where needed.
2. Start early support
Speech therapy, occupational therapy and structured play at home make the biggest difference when started early.
3. Complementary homeopathic care
Classical homeopathic consultation can be used alongside your child's therapies and medical care — never as a replacement. Dr. Shoaib Sabir has a special clinical interest in speech delay, autism and ADHD support.
Parents often ask
My child is a "late talker" — should I just wait?
Some children do catch up on their own, but there is no reliable way to know in advance which child will. A hearing test and speech assessment are simple, safe steps — waiting past the red-flag ages is the one thing specialists advise against.
Does screen time cause speech delay?
Heavy passive screen time is linked with fewer back-and-forth conversations, which is how children learn language. Face-to-face talk, reading and play are the strongest tools parents have.
We speak Urdu and English at home. Is that confusing my child?
No. Bilingual children may mix languages early on, but they reach language milestones within the same overall ranges. Count their total words across both languages.
Is this checklist a test for autism or ADHD?
No. It is an educational milestone guide only. Formal screening and diagnosis are done by qualified clinicians using validated tools. If you have concerns, your paediatrician can arrange proper assessment.
Can homeopathy replace speech therapy?
No. Speech therapy and early intervention remain the foundation. Homeopathic care at our clinic is offered as complementary, individualised support alongside — never instead of — standard care.
Concerned about your child's milestones or speech?
Book a consultation to discuss your child's development. In-clinic (Gojra, Lahore, Rawalpindi) and online worldwide.
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