It's hard to believe but this episode 200! Thank you to everyone who has listened from the beginning and to all our new listeners as well.   Today we're talking about a very difficult situation for parents.   Nothing stings as much as the snide remarks of another parent (or family member) when they are speaking about your developmentally delayed child.   "What's wrong with him?"   "Why isn't she taking yet?"   "Shouldn't he be walking by now?"   I understand that these comments are with good and innocent intent (most of the time), but that doesn't mean that they don't leave you feeling like you are a complete failure and bad parent.   This week a good friend of mine told me about a little girl who was about a year old and still couldn't lift her head up. The parents, 2 wonderful and extremely loving people, were beside themselves in despair, fear, and frustration.    They didn't know what to do to help their little girl.   I've learned, from experience, that most parents of children who are (or could be) delayed have no idea what they can do to help their suffering child.   Noticing and diagnosing the delay is not the problem; finding a solution that helps your child get better is.    Most parents are left frustrated and without knowing just how they can help.    Let's change that.   What we cover:

• The huge difference between being delayed and developing at your child's own pace. Every child is different; thankfully developmental milestones are given a range, not a specific time.
• The 5 categories of childhood development.
• The 3 general causes of the developmental problem.
• A 4th category that could be contributing to the developmental delay. This category is overlooked by nearly all medical providers and practitioners, yet it is the system that controls and coordinates all behaviour and learning. I realize it sounds obvious and strange at the same time.
• 3 steps you can take to ensure the 4th category is addressed and not adding to the problem.