TYPICAL AND

ATYPICAL
DEVELOPMENT

MANUEL T. BACARAC
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER 1
The development of a child usually follows a
predictable pattern. There are certain skills and
abilities that are observed to gauge a child’s
development are called DEVELOPMENTAL
MILESTONES. Example of these sitting, babbling,
and following directions. However, each child is
unique. With this, not all reach a milestone at the
same time, thus the term TYPICAL and ATYPICAL
DEVELOPMENT.
A term typical development refers to the normal progression where children grow by
acquiring knowledge, skills and behavior developmental milestones at a certain time
frame.

Atypical development- is a term used when development does not follow the normal
course. More, so a child is developing atypically when he or she reaches milestones
earlier or later than other children his/her age.

Three commonly accepted principles of child development that child should look into.
The principles are as follows:

1. Rate of development differs among children

2. Development occurs in relatively orderly process
3. Development takes place gradually
 DOMAINS OF DEVELOPMENT
The developmental milestones are categorized into four domains namely, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL
AND EMOTIONAL, LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE.

The physical domains refers to the development of physical changes such as size and strength. The
development occur in both gross and fine motor skills . The development of the senses and their uses
are also part of the physical domain which is influence by illness and nutrition.

A child’s experience, expression and management of emotions along with the ability to establish a
positive relationship with others refers to the SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DOMAIN. This includes both
the intra and interpersonal processes that take place in a child.

The language domain refers to the process of acquiring language in a consis-

tent order without the need of explicit teaching from the environment.

Construction of thought process which includes remembering, problem solving, and decision making
refers to the cognitive domain
 STAGES IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The stages are as follows:
A.INFANCY birth to 2 years
B.EARLY CHILDHOOD 3 to 8 years
C.Middle Childhood 9-11 years
D.ADOLESCENSE 12-18 years

INFANCY- birth to 2 years is a critical stage in child development because

growth is rapid. many believe that this stage is the most important stage in
one’s life since the changes that occur in infancy will affect the later
stages of development. This stage is also known as a building block for
the succeeding stages in the attainment of crucial knowledge, skills and
behaviors.
 TYPICAL and ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT DURING INFANCY
DOMAINS TYPICAL ATYPICAL
PHYSICAL -Holds head without support -does not hold head up
-rolls over -cannot sit without support
-sits without support -does not walk steadily
-crawls
-walks
-begins to run
SOCIO- EMOTIONAL -Smiles at people -does not smile
-likes to play -shows no affection
-shy or afraid of strangers -does not recognize familiar people
-cries when caregiver leaves
-copies others

LANGUAGE -Responds to own name -does not coo and babble

-makes cooing and babbling sounds -does not say as ingle word.
-makes different sounds
-responds to simple request.

COGNITIVE -watches things as they move -Does not watch things as they move
-find hidden things -does not know what to do with common
-transfers object from one hand to another objects
-explore things in variousy
EARLY CHILDHOOD-3-8 years old is a period of life with slow growth and rapid development. Most
psychologist labeled this stage as the exploratory and questioning stage since the children enjoy discovering
new things in their surroundings. Interactions with the family and the people around them will help shape
their development.
DOMAINS TYPICAL ATYPICAL
PHYSICAL -Runs well -falls down often
-Hops and stands on one food -needs help in physical activities
-can use toilet on his/her own

SOCIO-EMOTIONAL -Shows affection -does not want to play with others

-takes turn in games -usually withdrawn
-shows concern and sympathy
-cooperates with other children
-shows more independence

LANGUAGE -follows two to three step instructions -has unclear speech

-uses pronouns -can’t tell stories articulately
-tell and retell stories
-speaks clearly

COGNITIVE -Play makes believe -does not play with simple toys or make-
-work with simple toys believe
-names colors and numbers -loses skills one had
-draws a person
-names letters
 MIDDLE CHILDHOOD- 9 to 11 years is a stage that brings various changes in a child’s life. Independence is a
characteristic that children in this stage asserts. Developing friendships is another milestone that is evident in this
stage. Children should be given more task to develop their sense of responsibility to further develop their growing
independence.

DOMAINS TYPICAL ATYPICAL

PHYSICAL -growth spurt may take place -has limited mobility

-becomes clumsy
-increase in appetite-

SOCI0-EMOTIONAL -forms stronger friendships -has difficulty keeping and making friends
-becomes aware of body changes due to
puberty
-shows more concern about looks
-may feel stress about school work

LANGUAGE -continues to speak clearly -has unclear speech

-expresses one’s thought articulately -can’t tell stories articulately
-

COGNITIVE -increased attention span -experiences problem with comprehension

-sees the view of other people more clearly and attention
-unable to keep up with the school’s
curriculum
ADOLESCENCE 12 to 18 Years old is the period where puberty begins, by the end of this stage, most will have
completed puberty. The child is now called a teen during this stage . The teen is becoming more vocal about his/her
opinions due to the development of a unique personality. Peer pressure , however will be present, which is why guidance
from parents and guardians is very much needed.
DOMAINS TYPICAL ATYPICAL
PHYSICAL -reaches adult weight and height -limited mobility

SOCIO-EMOTIONAL -Becomes interested in opposite sex -has limited peer connection

-begins conflict with parents. -may exhibit inappropriate behavior in
-shows more independence from public
parents

LANGUAGE -Continues to speak clearly -has unclear speech

-expresses one’s thought articulately -can’t tell stories articulately

COGNITIVE -Acquires and uses defined work -is below grade level
habits
-shows concern about the future
Behaviors that are atypical should be observed
keenly and recorded carefully. At times, the
recorded observations might just be isolated
events with no significant impact on later
development. However , they might also be early
warning signs of needs. The observed patterns
will be useful to confirm if there is such a need.
Never stop doing little things
for others. Sometimes those
little things occupy the
biggest part of their hearts.