Developmental Delays in Children Kansas City

Supporting Healthy Development

Craniofacial conditions can often lead to developmental delays in children.

Understanding Craniofacial Related Delays

Children with craniofacial conditions may face unique developmental challenges as they grow. While every child develops at their own pace, certain conditions can affect speech, feeding, hearing, motor skills, social development, and other important milestones.

Early Support Makes a Difference

Developmental delays do not define a child’s future. With early identification, personalized therapy, and coordinated care, many children make significant progress and develop the skills they need to thrive. Our team works closely with families to understand each child’s needs and create a plan that supports healthy growth and development.

Common Delays Caused by Craniofacial Concerns

Developmental challenges can affect many areas of a child’s daily life.

Speech & Language Delays

Difficulty meeting communication milestones, producing sounds clearly, or expressing thoughts and needs effectively.

Feeding Challenges

Problems with feeding, chewing, swallowing, or transitioning to age-appropriate foods and textures.

Gross Motor Delays

Delayed developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling, walking, balance, coordination, or overall movement skills.

Fine Motor Delays

Difficulty with hand coordination, grasping objects, self-feeding, writing, dressing, or other everyday tasks.

When to Seek Evaluation

Early intervention tends to provide the best outcomes for children with development delays.

Missed Milestones

Your child is not reaching developmental milestones within expected age ranges.

Communication Concerns

Speech, language, or social communication skills appear delayed compared to peers.

Motor Skill Challenges

Difficulties with movement, coordination, balance, or age-appropriate physical activities.

Feeding Difficulties

Persistent challenges with eating, drinking, chewing, or swallowing.

Parent Concerns

If you feel something isn't progressing as expected, it's worth having your child evaluated.

Learning Difficulties

Developmental concerns begin affecting participation at school or in social settings.

Talk With Our Experts

Get in touch with our specialists to talk about next steps and treatment options.

Request Appointment

How We Evaluate Developmental Delays

  • 01

    Medical & Developmental Review

    We begin by discussing your child’s medical history, developmental milestones, and current concerns.

  • 02

    Comprehensive Evaluation

    Our specialists assess communication, feeding, motor skills, behavior, and other developmental areas.

  • 03

    Team Collaboration

    When needed, multiple providers work together to identify contributing factors and recommend care.

  • 04

    Personalized Recommendations

    We develop a customized treatment plan designed around your child’s strengths and challenges.

  • 05

    Ongoing Monitoring

    As your child grows, we continue to evaluate progress and adjust care as needed.

Find the Care You Need

Navigate your next steps with confidence and personalized recommendations.

Find the Right Care Path

Meet Our Craniofacial Specialists

Patrick Christopher

DDS, MD

Pediatric Cleft & Craniofacial Surgeon

Dr. Robert O. Weiss II

MD, DDS.

Pediatric Cleft & Craniofacial Surgeon

We Are on Every Insurance Plan

We know that accessible craniofacial care is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Patients Are Our Why

  • Our family and friends have asked us if we’re nervous for surgeries and our response has always been no. We genuinely feel like we’re sending our child back to two goofy uncles who just so happen to be highly skilled..."

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  • We cannot say enough amazing things about the amazing team that has been built within Midwest Cleft and Craniofacial Specialists. It truly is a TEAM of people who have come together to best help support families in one of the..."

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  • Our overall experience with the Midwest Cleft & Craniofacial Specialists team as being like family. They truly make you feel understood and involved in all aspects of the team and care. I couldn’t believe it when Dr. Weiss handed me..."

    - Rayne

Compassionate Care for Complex Needs

Helping patients and families find trusted care with confidence and support.