Written by the DrSensory editorial team. Sources are named below. · How we write and who reviews it · Last updated August 13, 2026

1. What are you noticing? Select all that apply

Not talking as much as other children their ageHard for others to understand when they speakBehind on sitting, crawling, or walkingClumsy, or falls more than other childrenVery strong reactions to noise, textures, clothing, or foodDoes not seem to notice things others doStruggles with dressing, eating, or self-careHandwriting or fine motor difficultyMeltdowns that seem out of proportionDifficulty with change or transitionsSomething else I cannot put my finger on

2. How old is your child?

Under 33 to 56 to 1213 to 18

3. Is this affecting daily life at home, at school, or both?

Not really, I am just wonderingAt homeAt schoolBoth

4. Has your child lost any skill they previously had?

NoNot sureYes

5. Has your child's hearing been tested in the last year?

YesNoNot sure

6. Has anyone raised concerns before?

NoA teacher or childcare provider hasA family member hasOur doctor has

Who assesses what

Speech-language pathologist — talking, understanding, clarity, stuttering, and feeding and swallowing.

Occupational therapist — sensory processing, fine motor, handwriting, self-care, and the practical parts of the day.

Physical therapist — gross motor milestones, walking, coordination, balance, strength, and endurance.

Audiologist — hearing. Worth doing first for any speech or language concern, and frequently skipped.

Developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or a multidisciplinary team — where the picture spans several areas, or where a diagnosis is the question.

You do not need certainty

The most common reason parents wait is not being sure it is “bad enough”. An evaluation exists to answer that question, not to be earned by it. Under three the assessment is free and you can arrange it yourself; from three, a written request to your school district starts a legal timeline.

If an evaluation finds nothing, that is a useful result and it cost you an appointment.

Disclaimer. This is not a diagnosis and it does not decide anything. It points you at the kind of professional who assesses what you are describing. You do not need to be sure before you ask.