What Developmental Signs Should I Discuss at 19–24 Months?

What does a developmental “red flag” mean?

A developmental concern is not a diagnosis by itself; it may be a reason to look more closely.

Children gain skills in different sequences and at different rates, so consider communication, play, movement, social interaction, and daily skills together.

Why is losing a skill an important concern?

Tell a clinician if your child stops using a word or gesture they used before, shows a marked change in social interest, or loses a movement skill.

CDC advises acting early and talking with a doctor if a child has lost skills they once had. Skill loss is different from a skill that has not yet emerged.

What should I notice in language and social communication?

CDC examples by age 2 include putting at least two words together, pointing to something in a book when asked, identifying two body parts, and using gestures beyond waving or pointing.

If your child has marked difficulty across several communication areas near age 2, or makes very few attempts to communicate, discuss it with a clinician. One missing skill alone does not diagnose a condition.

A noticeable reduction in social responses, shared attention, or previously present social behaviors is also worth raising.

CDC lists noticing when someone is upset and checking a caregiver’s face in a new situation as social-emotional examples; these help describe development but are not diagnostic criteria.

What movement concerns should I discuss?

CDC examples around age 2 include running, kicking a ball, walking up a few stairs, and eating with a spoon. Children may do these with different levels of skill.

Talk with a clinician if movement is markedly one-sided, a child consistently drags a leg, there is pronounced stiffness or floppiness, or a motor skill is lost.

When might a developmental plateau matter?

New skills may emerge more slowly during some periods. If you see no progress for months in language, play, movement, or daily skills and this worries you, ask for an assessment.

The purpose is to understand your child’s own progress, not to compare them with other children.

Why can one missed milestone not diagnose a condition?

CDC milestone checklists describe skills most children can do by an age; they are not diagnostic tools and do not replace standardized, validated developmental screening.

A missing skill can be a reason to discuss screening, but a diagnosis cannot be made from that observation alone.

Why does a parent’s concern matter?

You see your child every day and may notice subtle changes first. CDC encourages families to talk with a doctor whenever they have a developmental concern.

You do not need to know the exact cause before asking for guidance.

What can I do today?

Think about the past month and note new skills, any behavior or skill that has reduced, and the area that concerns you most. Review the CDC age-2 examples and write down only what you have observed.

Use the notes to make a conversation with your child’s clinician more specific, not to diagnose your child.

When should I speak with a clinician?

Do not wait for a routine appointment if a previously acquired skill has been lost or you have a significant concern about communication or movement.

A clinician can discuss standardized screening and, if needed, refer your child for a fuller assessment.