Neurodevelopmental concerns
Neurodevelopmental conditions affect how the brain grows and works. For many families, concerns first appear when a child isn’t meeting the typical milestones for their age, such as how they move, speak, learn, behave or play with others.
These signs may start in infancy or early childhood and often continue into adolescence and adulthood. In some cases, adults may seek assessment later in life, especially for conditions such as autism or ADHD.
At Affidea neuraCare, we understand how worrying it can be when something doesn’t feel right. Whether you’re seeking answers for your child or yourself, we offer expert neurological assessment, clear diagnosis, and a personalized care plan. All delivered with compassion, clarity, and the highest standards of medical care.
If you’re unsure what might be behind the changes you’ve noticed, understanding more about how neurodevelopmental conditions present is a helpful first step. Read on to learn about common signs, possible causes, and how we can help.
Children’s neurodevelopmental milestones
Children develop skills in stages, from first smiles and first steps to talking, playing and learning. These milestones give a general guide to what most children can do by a certain age.
Some variation is completely normal, but if your child is missing several milestones or seems to be falling behind over time, it may be a sign of a neurodevelopmental condition.
Below is a general overview of key developmental milestones:
- 0 to 6 months: First smiles and sounds, holding their head up, beginning to roll over
- 6 to 12 months: Sitting without support, crawling, starting to stand and babble
- 1 to 2 years: Saying first words and simple sentences, walking alone
- 2 to 3 years: Building sentences, playing more actively, showing interest in others
- 3 to 5 years: Holding conversations, asking questions, playing with imagination
If you’re concerned your child is not reaching these milestones or seems to be losing skills they had before, speak with a healthcare or educational professional. Early assessment can help identify any underlying issues and get the right support in place.
Understanding your child’s development can be challenging, especially when things don’t seem to follow the typical path. Neurodevelopmental symptoms can vary widely, and while some are obvious, others are more subtle and unfold over time.
No two children are the same, but some general signs suggest a difference in how the brain is developing, including unusual differences in walking, movement, speech, learning and behavior.
Here is a range of general symptoms to look out for:
- Delays in speech, language or learning
- Difficulty with movement or coordination
- Losing skills previously gained
- Repetitive actions or behaviors
- Trouble with attention, focus, or sitting still
- Lack of interest in play or interacting with others
- Changes in walking, posture or balance
- Difficulties with feeding or sleep
- Seizures or episodes of staring into space
- Tics, tremors or involuntary movements
- Bedwetting or night terrors beyond a normal age
It can feel difficult to tell what’s ‘normal’ for a child’s development. And it’s important to know that not all developmental delays are caused by neurological conditions.
For example, signs of language delay in children include using fewer than 50 words by two years of age and struggling to use or understand sentences by three years. While this could indicate a neurological condition, it could also be caused by hearing problems.
When to worry about development delays in children?
Many signs of slow development are not automatically a cause for concern. But if something feels unusual, ongoing, or difficult to manage, speaking with a healthcare professional can help you understand what’s happening and what to do next.
Your family doctor or paediatrician may refer you to a specialist for further investigation, especially if symptoms are persistent, unexplained, or affecting your child’s daily life.
Neurodevelopmental conditions may be genetic, related to early development, or caused by events such as birth trauma or early injury. Some are diagnosed early in life, while others may not be recognized until a child starts school, or even into adulthood.
Conditions commonly linked to neurodevelopmental concerns include:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – affects communication, social interaction, and how a person experiences the world
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – impacts attention, impulse control, and activity levels
- Cerebral palsy – a group of conditions affecting muscle tone, movement, and coordination
- Tic disorders (including Tourette syndrome) – cause sudden, repetitive movements or sounds (tics)
- Learning difficulties – includes difficulty with written language (dyslexia), numbers (dyscalculia) and movement (dyspraxia)
- Learning disabilities – affect general intellect, including thinking, learning, and problem-solving abilities
- Developmental language disorder – causes difficulties in understanding or using language
- Neuromuscular disorders (e.g. Duchenne muscular dystrophy) – affect muscle strength and may cause progressive difficulty with movement
- Epilepsy – while not a neurodevelopmental condition, epilepsy commonly presents alongside developmental conditions , causing seizures that may present in subtle or complex ways in children
Some children may be diagnosed with more than one condition, or their symptoms may not fit neatly into a single category. That’s why expert assessment is so important, to understand the full picture and guide the right care for each individual.
If your child or yourself is showing signs of a neurodevelopmental condition, a thorough assessment with a specialist can provide clarity and support.
Our specialist neurologists offer a warm, welcoming environment with age-suitable assessments. The exact assessments will depend on the type of symptoms, but an initial assessment usually includes:
- Developmental history and parent interviews – gathering detailed information about early milestones, behavior and daily life
- Play-based and structured assessments – to explore language, movement, attention, social skills and emotional wellbeing
- Cognitive and psychological testing – to assess thinking skills, behavior and learning
- Observations and interaction – to assess communication, social engagement and sensory responses
- Feedback from school or nursery – helps understand how your child manages in daily routines and learning settings
Further assessments
In some cases, further investigations may be helpful. These could include:
- Imaging scans, including MRI or ultrasound
- EEG or EMG scans
- Genetic testing or blood tests
- Home video analysis to review your child’s behavior in a familiar environment
- Specialist assessments using technologies like eye-tracking
- A consultation with a head and neck specialist to assess and treat hearing and speaking problems, such as deafness or mouth and jaw issues
Our expert team will guide you through each step of the assessment with care. Whether you’re looking for answers for your child or yourself, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening and what support is available.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to neurological care. Once we understand the nature of your or your child’s condition, we’ll work with you to create a personalized plan.
Depending on the condition, this may involve neuropsychology, neurophysiotherapy, medical treatment, or support at home, school, or work. Our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and ready to move forward.
