I have questions about "typical" development.

[Finch]

Ds is my first and only child thus far, so I really don't have a whole lot to go on as far as what's normal development and what's not. He's autistic, and about 12-18 mos. delayed in a lot of areas.

So here's what I'm wondering...he's able to identify on sight numbers and colors, this is a new development for us. He counts to himself a lot. When do most "typical" children start to do those things?

Just curious. It always sort of shocks me how delayed he is when I'm around typical children with him, I never really think of him as too delayed when it's just us, kwim? Is there a good website I can used to kind of keep track? Baby books don't go past 2.

[chinaKat]

It must be fun for you, now that your child has these exciting new skills!

I think this is a tough question to answer, though, because kids are SO all over the map with those particular milestones, and I think there is a HUGE range of what is considered "typical".

I'd hate to post what I think and then make a lot of other people feel like their child doesn't fit my experience, but I do know that I've occasionally googled "infant developmental milestones" and come up with some pretty good links.

Good luck!

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by Finch

So here's what I'm wondering...he's able to identify on sight numbers and colors, this is a new development for us. He counts to himself a lot. When do most "typical" children start to do those things?

Typical? I have no idea. My ds knows some colors (red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple). He may know more, but I don't know the sign for any more, therefore- he doesn't know the sign for any more He signs all of those, does not say them. My ds is just shy of 3. I don't believe he can identify numbers (except 2, but that's because it was part of a blues clues book. Outside of the book I don't know if he could). I have a younger sister who just turned 4 and knows her numbers by sight and has for a little while.... I'd say somewhere between 3 1/2-4 she started doing that.

[StephandOwen]

Okay, studying in early childhood education can come in handy According to the schoolbook I'm working with right now (Total Learning: Development Curriculum For the Young Child)- Between 36-48 months a child should be able to recognize and match 6 colors. At 48-60 months they should be able to point to and name 4-6 colors. It doesn't say about when they should be able to recognize written numbers which means either they didn't feel it was necessary to mention it, or it's after the age of 72 months (6 years). It does say between 60-72 months they should be able to name some letters and numbers. They should also be able to count to 10. At 48-60 months they should be able to count to 5, imitating adults.

HTH!

[Finch]

Thank you! I am clueless about child development. : Sad but true.