Differences you might notice in your child, what might cause these differences, and who you can talk to.
Every child develops at their own pace. Some children communicate, learn, play, socialise or experience the world differently from others. These differences can become noticeable at home, in nursery, at school or in the community.
Many families start by noticing that something feels different, but they may not know why.
This page explains some of the differences you might notice, who to talk to and where to get support.
Differences you might notice
Children are all different. Sometimes they may experience differences in:
- communication and language
- understanding and interacting with other people
- recognising and expressing emotions
- coping with change or unexpected situations
- sensory experiences such as sounds, lights, smells, tastes or textures
You might notice that your child:
- prefers routines and predictability
- finds change difficult
- has strong interests in particular topics or activities
- becomes overwhelmed in busy environments
- seeks out or avoids certain sensory experiences
- finds friendships or social situations difficult
- experiences big emotions that are difficult to manage
Some children experience only a few of these differences, while others experience many.
What might cause these differences
There are many reasons why a child may experience differences in communication, learning, behaviour, social interaction or sensory processing.
For some children, these differences may be linked to neurodiversity, such as:
- autism
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
- dyspraxia, also called developmental coordinator disorder
- dyslexia
Children may also experience differences for other reasons. The most important thing is understanding your child's strengths, needs and experiences so that the right support can be put in place.
Strengths children might have
Children who experience differences in communication, interaction, learning or sensory processing often have many strengths.
Some children may:
- have strong interests or areas of expertise
- notice details that others miss
- think creatively
- have excellent knowledge about topics they enjoy
- be honest and direct communicators
- have strong memory skills
Every child has their own strengths, interests and talents.
Support without a diagnosis
Children do not need a diagnosis to receive support. Nurseries, schools and colleges should provide support based on a child or young person's needs.
Support should not be delayed while families wait for assessments or diagnoses. Education settings can work with you to:
- do a needs analysis to better understand your child's strengths, needs and experiences
- identify what support should be in place
Read more about other support in education settings.
Who to talk to
If you're worried about your child, first try speaking to people who know them well.
You can also speak to Bristol Parent Carers, who can help you work out who the best person to contact is.
If your child is under 5
You can speak to:
- your health visitor
- your GP
- your child's nursery or early years setting
- your local Children's Centre Inclusion Lead
- the Speech and Language Therapy Service
- the Early Years Portage and Inclusion Service
If your child is school age
You can speak to:
- your child's class teacher
- your child's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
- your GP
- the Speech and Language Therapy Service
These professionals can listen to your concerns and help you understand what support may be available.
