Text / Call: 860-306-6423
Email: Matt.L@[Link]
EARLY DETECTION OF POSTURAL CONTROL DIFFICULTY IN AT-RISK INFANTS
Early referral for postural control difficulties is essential for at risk young infants. Check your child - Do You
See It? Throughout the first 12 months of life, meeting motor milestones are important for children to build
experiences and strength in their little bodies. In this handout we have emphasized three very important mile-
stones that if not met, could indicate the at-risk child is having difficulty with their postural control. Below we
have explained and illustrated how to test for the three motor milestones, and at what month the child should
have achieved it. If you find your child is unable to obtain one of these milestones, they will be at risk for miss-
ing later milestones, further delaying their development. Early Detection of delays in motor milestones is vital
to achieve optimal development for your child. If you feel your child may be missing any of these essential mo-
tor milestones at the age of 5, 7 or 9 months old, they should be screened.
The earlier we can start, the better! DO YOU SEE IT?
5month 7months 9months
Head Control Self Supported Sitting Standing with Support
At five months, can your child At seven months, can your At nine months, can your child
hold their head in line with child sit propping themselves stand up when their hands
their body when pulled gently up with their arm? are being held?
to sitting?
If your child is having difficulty, reach out to us to start
a conversation about what you’re seeing.
Turn this page over for help to get you started.
Text / Call: 860-306-6423
Email: Matt.L@[Link]
Giving your child early help is easy to get started. Below are some simple ways to help hold your infant
with the support they need. With each exercise you want to start by providing the most support you can
with your hand placement. If your child is able to perform the exercise with good control, you can decrease
the amount of support you are giving them by lowering the placement of your hands. By doing this your
child will have to work harder at controlling everything that is above where your hands are placed.
5month 7months 9months
Getting Started!
How to help Head Control How to Help Sitting How to Help Standing
Begin by placing your child in a Begin by placing your child in a Begin by placing your child in
seated position with your hands seated position at legs off edge standing with their body support-
supporting at their shoulders. of surface, and your hands under ed against your chest. One hand
their arms. holding right above their belly,
and the other at the knees, help-
ing to keep them from buckling
What to look for: What to look for:
What to look for:
Child is able to keep their head Child is bearing weight through
Child is able to keep their head
and trunk upright. Not allowing it their feet keeping their knees
up and in the middle. Not letting
to collapse forward or backward. straight, and keeping their body
it fall backward or forward.
upright (peeled against you).