In general, pediatricians, and other child health experts give preemies until the age of two to catch up with their full-term peers, in terms of their growth and development. However, just like there is huge variation among full-term babies in terms of their growth and development, the same is true for babies born prematurely. In general, the more premature the child is, the longer it will take them to catch-up to their full-term counterparts, and premature infants are at higher risk for developmental delays.
Advice regarding the development of ALL children:
I always emphasize with parents that it is important to look at the “whole picture” in terms of assessing their child’s development. Just like adults, children have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and children may be mildly delayed in one area, such as motor development, but have more advanced language skills. In looking at language, it is important to recognize your child’s ability to understand language, as well as their speech. If you do have concerns about your child’s development, never be afraid to discuss these concerns with your child’s pediatrician or health care provider. If a developmental delay exists, studies indicate that the sooner services (such as physical or speech therapy) can be initiated, the better the outcome. If you feel that your concerns are not being taken seriously by your health care provider, many states offer Early Intervention programs that offer free developmental evaluations, and therapy if your child is considered delayed in a specific area. All states are required to offer early identification and intervention of developmental disabilities in the preschool years (ages 3-5) and typically those services are coordinated through the county school district.
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