OT and PT Development Norms

Occupational therapy and physical therapy milestones, hierarchies, and charts! Find thorough handouts at the end of the post.

OT and PT therapy development norms, charts, and milestones are helpful to see a general guideline of development, to help assess, and to structure therapy. They are especially beneficial for parents to gauge their child’s development and if they need to seek out intervention. The rate of development varies from child to child, but it typically occurs in the same pattern. The graphics below show general guidelines for some gross motor, fine motor, and sensory development!

Using these norms as only one piece of the puzzle is important. While we may want charts showing “normal” or “typical” development, this doesn’t exist. Assigning a rigid timeline of expectations can be harmful given the wide range of variability. We don’t control the numerous factors that affect a child’s overall development. This is why it’s crucial to use norm charts as one piece in assessing a child.

What is the difference between a delay and a disorder?

A delay is when a child’s skills develop in the pattern we expect, but not at the same rate as their peers. A disorder is when a child is not following the typical pattern of development, for example they may be skipping certain steps.

Tip: When reading research and looking at norm charts, be sure you find the criterion for the data represented. For example, if it’s the average (when 50% of children reach the skill) or the milestone (when 90% of children reach the skill.)

GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

You can download the three following graphics for free to print them!

FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

SENSORY DEVELOPMENT

GROSS MOTOR TYPICAL VERSUS ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

BY 3 MONTHS

Typical:

pushes up on arms while on tummy
lifts and holds heads while on tummy

Atypical:

difficulty lifting head
stiff legs with little or no movement
keeps hands fisted and lacks arm movement

BY 6 MONTHS

Typical:

uses hands to support self while sitting
rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back
supports body weight with legs

Atypical:

rounded back in a seated position
unable to lift head up
difficult to bring arm forward to reach out arches back and stiffens legs

BY 9 MONTHS

Typical:

sits and reaches for toys without falling
moves from tummy or back to a sitting position
starts to move with alternate leg and arm movement

Atypical:

predominately uses one hand
difficulty crawling
uses only one side of body to move cannot hold weight on legs

BY 12 MONTHS

Typical:

pulls to stand and cruises along furniture
stands alone
takes several independent steps

Atypical:

difficulty standing due to stiff legs and pointed toes
only uses arms to pull to stand
sits with weight to one side
needs to use hand to support sitting

BY 15 MONTHS

Typical:

walks independently
squats to pick up a toy

Atypical:

unable to take steps independently
poor standing balance
walks on toes greater than 80% of the time

LOOKING FOR MORE TOPICS, EXPLANATIONS OF THE RESEARCH, WITH PARENT-FRIENDLY TERMS?

After requests and over a year of development, the OT and PT Development Handouts are ready! Therapy Marketing Kit and I co-created these handouts with occupational therapists and physical therapists.

OT and PT Development Handouts

Occupational therapy and physical therapy development charts, milestones, and hierarchies! These are evidence-based infographics with definitions and explanations to simplify everything.

Click here to see all 50 handouts included!

A better way to communicate about OT and PT development with caregivers
An easier way to review norms within OT and PT
Explanations and research behind the hierarchies and charts
Parent handouts
Functional, beautiful décor for your private practice or therapy space

Have a quick reference system with parent-friendly terminology at your fingertips.

This is perfect for multidisciplinary clinics that provide OT and PT, or if you are an SLP who serves clients that receive these services.

Feel confident with citations on every page, the latest research in each area, simple explanations, and 50 handouts and information pages.

WANT CUSTOMIZED, BRANDED HANDOUTS FOR YOU PRIVATE PRACTICE?

Therapy Marketing Kit can customized these handouts with your logo, brand colors, and private practice information.

These best-selling handouts will be branded with your logo and company brand colors, creating a seamless look for your private practice. Included within these handouts are multiple custom graphics that will also be branded for your business.