What is a Developmental Specialist?
A developmental specialist is a medical professional that is an authority in assessing the physical, medical, or emotional development of an individual. A referral to a developmental specialist is usually sought out when there is concern about the development of a child. While developmental specialists are often thought of in terms of aiding children, there are adult and teenage developmental specialists as well. As children mature and grow they are expected to learn and accomplish particular skills. These skills are referred to as milestones. Milestones indicate how a child is responding to, and learning about, the world around him. For example, a child will normally begin to walk between ten and sixteen months of age. Generally, children master milestones within the predictable age range, while others are delayed, or fail to achieve certain milestones at all. Investigation may be warranted when a child does not reach particular milestones within a typical time frame. Disorders like D
