5 Early Signs Your Child Might Need Therapy — And What to Do Next

Josh Levine
Oct 29
3 min read

At Essential Therapy Solutions, we often hear a common question from parents across Arizona:

“I’m not sure if my child needs therapy, but something feels off.”

A child in a light blue shirt sits on a knitted pouf, holding a toy car. A woman with long hair faces the child. A guitar and toys are in the background.

You’re not alone—and your instincts matter. Spotting early signs of developmental delays can change the course of your child’s growth, confidence, and quality of life.

Whether you're considering speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or developmental support, early detection and intervention make a lasting impact.

Here are five key signs your child may benefit from pediatric therapy—plus practical next steps you can take today.

1. Delayed Communication Milestones

If your child isn’t hitting age-appropriate speech and language milestones, it may be time to consult a specialist. Common red flags include:

Not babbling by 12 months
Not saying any words by 18 months
Struggling to combine two words by age 2
Difficulty following simple directions
Trouble expressing needs or feelings

These delays may stem from speech disorders, hearing loss, or developmental challenges—but with support from a speech-language pathologist, many children make rapid progress.

See Our Speech Therapy Services

2. Difficulty With Motor Skills

Motor skills involve everything from crawling and walking to holding crayons, using scissors, or dressing independently. Signs that therapy might help include:

Trouble holding a spoon or cup
Difficulty buttoning clothes or using zippers
Frequent clumsiness or falling
Trouble riding a bike or catching a ball
Delayed crawling, walking, or stair-climbing

Occupational therapy focuses on fine motor skills (like grip and dexterity), while physical therapy supports gross motor skills (like balance and mobility).

3. Sensory Processing Challenges

Some children react more strongly to sounds, lights, textures, or movements than others. Sensory processing issues can lead to avoidance, meltdowns, or difficulty in everyday environments.

Common signs include:

Covering ears frequently
Refusing certain foods based on texture
Hating tags or seams in clothing
Seeking excessive movement (spinning, jumping)
Difficulty with brushing teeth or grooming

Our team can assess and create a plan to help your child navigate sensory input in a more balanced way.

4. Social or Emotional Difficulties

Social development is just as vital as physical or speech milestones. Some signs your child may need support include:

Not making eye contact
Limited pretend play or interaction with peers
Extreme difficulty with transitions or routines
Frequent tantrums beyond age 3
Trouble understanding emotions or social cues

Developmental therapy or a combination of OT and speech therapy can help your child improve social confidence, emotional regulation, and connection.

5. Feeding and Mealtime Struggles

Feeding therapy isn’t just for picky eaters—it helps children develop safe, healthy eating habits. Warning signs include:

Gagging or choking while eating
Avoiding entire food groups or textures
Poor weight gain or growth
Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
Mealtime anxiety or tantrums

With the support of trained feeding therapists, many families see significant improvements in both nutrition and mealtime peace.

Why Early Intervention Matters

The earlier a child receives therapy, the greater the impact on brain development, school readiness, and long-term independence. Therapy doesn’t just address symptoms—it builds confidence, life skills, and lasting connection.

At Essential Therapy Solutions, we’ve been supporting Arizona families since 2007 through: