Could Missed Milestones Be Behind Your Child’s Struggles?
This quiz will help you figure out if missed milestones might be at the root of what’s going on — and whether working with Dr. Laura could help your child’s brain finally get what it missed.
It’s Not a Disorder. It’s a Missing Stage
The brain develops in stages and when a stage gets missed, the brain adapts. Those adaptations show up as the focus issues, meltdowns, and learning challenges you’re seeing today.
The Most Common Missed Milestones
Most parents know to watch for first steps and first words — but some of the most important developmental milestones happen quietly, on the floor, long before your child ever stands up.
#1: Crawling
When babies crawl, both sides of the body have to work together in a coordinated, rhythmic pattern. That cross-body movement helps integrate the two hemispheres of the brain — and that integration doesn’t just affect movement. It lays the groundwork for attention, emotional regulation, and even how your child handles stress.
Coordination directly impacts attention and emotional regulation. When crawling is skipped, or happens in an unusual pattern like shuffling or one-legged crawling — focus and reading challenges often follow.
When The Foundation Gets Skipped
We’re all born with a set of automatic responses called primitive reflexes — survival instincts like startling at a loud noise or pulling away from something uncomfortable. In healthy development, these naturally “switch off” as the brain matures.
#2: The Withdraw Reflex
When this stays active, it can heighten your child’s defense responses or keep them locked in a state of fear or anxiety — even when there’s nothing to be afraid of.
#3: Moro Reflexes
Your baby’s original startle reflex is directly connected to fight-or-flight. When it doesn’t fully integrate, some kids become over-aroused (ADHD) or under-aroused (ADD).
Timing Matters More Than You Think
Development has to happen in sequence to be effective. Skipping stages — like crawling on one leg instead of both, which keeps a reflex called the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex stuck in the “on” position — can leave gaps in brain integration that show up later as attention, behavioral, or learning challenges.
The good news? The brain is adaptable.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Book a free 15-minute consultation to get clear next steps for your child — no pressure, no obligation.