When Waiting Is Not the Answer: Understanding the Value of a Diagnosis

As mothers, many parents find themselves unconsciously comparing their children’s developmental milestones to those of other kids around them. They were born in the same month, the same year… so why is one child already walking while the other is not? Reassurance often follows: it’s fine — this child can put on shoes faster. For a while, things feel balanced. But then another concern appears. Children play together, their abilities seem similar, and yet one child is not speaking clearly. By age three, teachers may begin to mention frustration, behavior challenges, and difficulty expressing thoughts.