Developmental Delays in Infants and Toddlers: What West Valley and Verrado Parents Should Know

By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — May 10, 2026

The West Valley — including Verrado, Estrella Mountain Ranch, Palm Valley, and Litchfield Park — is growing faster than almost anywhere in Maricopa County. Thousands of young families are settling into its new master-planned communities, and they need pediatric specialty care, including developmental delay evaluation for infants and toddlers.

Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion sees children from across the west valley for developmental concerns. She brings a neurological perspective to a question parents usually first raise through early intervention programs or school evaluations: Why isn't my child keeping up with their peers?

normal development vs. delay: what to watch for

Milestones are general guides, not exact schedules. Children develop at different rates. But some milestones carry more diagnostic weight than others, and these red flags warrant evaluation:

• Motor delays: Not sitting without support by 9 months. Not walking by 15–18 months. Consistently favoring one hand before age 1, which can indicate hemiplegia. Toe-walking past age 2 to 3.
• Language delays: No babbling by 12 months. No single words by 16 months. No two-word phrases by 24 months. Any loss of language the child already had, at any age.
• Social and communication delays: No eye contact. No pointing or waving bye-bye. No response to their name by 12 months. Little interest in other children.
• Cognitive delays: Not imitating actions or words. Can't follow simple two-step instructions by age 2 to 3.

Any regression, meaning the loss of skills a child once had, is always a red flag. Get it evaluated promptly, no matter the age.

what causes developmental delays

The causes are neurological, and they vary widely. Pinning down the specific one guides treatment and support. Common contributors:

• Genetic conditions (chromosomal abnormalities, syndromic diagnoses): Many genetic syndromes cause delay and show up through genetic testing ordered alongside a neurological evaluation.
• Prematurity: Children born before 37 weeks face higher risk of developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and learning differences. Gestational age changes how you read milestones.
• Brain structural abnormalities: An MRI can find cortical malformations, periventricular leukomalacia, or other differences that explain a child's developmental profile.
• Metabolic disorders: Rare, but worth catching early because many are treatable.
• Autism spectrum disorder: ASD involves developmental differences in social communication and behavior, and it often overlaps with neurological concerns. Dr. Zach evaluates the neurological side and coordinates with developmental pediatrics for full ASD assessment.

where early intervention fits

For children under 3, Arizona's Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) provides free speech, occupational, and physical therapy to eligible kids. Start there, but run it alongside a medical evaluation, not instead of one. A neurological assessment tells therapists something they need: knowing why a child has a motor delay shapes how physical therapy is built.

For school-age children in Verrado, Estrella Mountain Ranch, and the Goodyear-Buckeye area, the Dysart Unified, Liberty Elementary, and Littleton Elementary districts all have Special Education departments that evaluate and provide services. Dr. Zach works with school teams and writes the medical documentation that supports an IEP.

what a neurological developmental evaluation includes

Dr. Zach runs a detailed neurological exam that checks muscle tone, reflexes, coordination, sensory processing, and neurodevelopmental milestones. She reviews birth history, prenatal history, family history, and any prior evaluation reports.

Testing may include a brain MRI, genetic blood panels, metabolic screens, or an EEG if seizures are a concern. She explains each test in plain language and goes over the findings with you at a follow-up.

for west valley and verrado families

Rose Medical Pavilion sits about 32 to 38 miles from most west valley communities. That's a long drive for Verrado and Goodyear families, so we offer telehealth follow-ups for established patients. The first evaluation usually needs an in-person visit. Many appointments after that can happen remotely.

Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) to schedule. Our community pages for Verrado, Estrella Mountain Ranch, and Palm Valley have more for west valley families.