Age

Red Flags

18 months – 3 years

• Child and parent have little or not playful or verbal interaction
• Child initiates overly friendly or affectionate interactions with strangers
• Child ignores, avoids or  is hostile with parent when distressed or after separation
• Child is excessively distressed by separation from parent
• Child freezes or moves toward parent by approaching sideways, backwards or circuitously
• Child alternates between being hostile and overly affectionate with parent communication of child
• Parent uses inappropriate or ineffective behaviour management techniques

• Doesn’t smile in response to another person
• Delayed imaginative play – lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play
• Prefers to play alone, decreased interest in other children
• Poor interactive play
• Poor eye contact – this does not mean it is absent
• Less showing, giving sharing and directing others’ attention than usual
• Any loss of social skills at any age (regression)
• Prefers to do things for him/herself rather than ask for help

• Awkward or absent greeting of others

If there are concerns, contact Children’s Therapy & Family Resource Centre at 371-4100  or Infant Development Program at 371-4140.