What causes a gross motor delay?

Causes vary — low muscle tone, differences in strength or coordination, prematurity, or broader developmental factors, and sometimes simply needing more opportunity and support. An evaluation helps identify what's going on.

Will my child catch up on their own?

Some children do, but a clear pattern of delay benefits from physical therapy, and earlier support generally works best. An evaluation is the way to know whether to act or monitor.

Do I need a referral for physical therapy?

Yes — physical therapy requires a referral from your child's primary care provider, faxed to 901-589-9001.

physical therapy · Awareness

Gross Motor Delay: Signs Your Child May Need Physical Therapy

Written by MTG Physical Therapy Team, Licensed Pediatric Physical Therapists

Physical Therapy

Updated 2026-06-20

Gross motor skills are the big-movement abilities — holding the head up, sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping. When a child is meaningfully behind on these for their age, it's called a gross motor delay, and it's one of the main reasons children see a pediatric physical therapist.

What is a gross motor delay?

A gross motor delay means a child is reaching large-muscle movement milestones noticeably later than expected. It can be isolated (just motor) or part of a broader developmental picture, and causes range from low muscle tone to differences in strength, coordination, or simply needing more practice and support.

Signs by age

By 6 months: not holding the head steady, or not rolling.
By 9 months: not sitting without support.
By 12 months: not bearing weight on the legs or pulling to stand.
By 18 months: not walking.
Older children: clumsiness, frequent falls, tiring quickly, struggling to keep up, or avoiding active play.

Children develop at their own pace, and one late milestone isn't a diagnosis. A pattern of delays, or losing skills, is what warrants an evaluation — and earlier support tends to work best.

Worried your child is behind on motor milestones? An evaluation gives answers.

Request an evaluation

How physical therapy helps

A pediatric physical therapist evaluates strength, balance, coordination, and movement patterns, then builds the missing skills through active, play-based sessions — plus home strategies so progress continues. PT is a new service at MTG and we're accepting referrals (required from your child's primary care provider, faxed to 901-589-9001).

Related reading

Frequently asked

What causes a gross motor delay?: Causes vary — low muscle tone, differences in strength or coordination, prematurity, or broader developmental factors, and sometimes simply needing more opportunity and support. An evaluation helps identify what's going on.
Will my child catch up on their own?: Some children do, but a clear pattern of delay benefits from physical therapy, and earlier support generally works best. An evaluation is the way to know whether to act or monitor.
Do I need a referral for physical therapy?: Yes — physical therapy requires a referral from your child's primary care provider, faxed to 901-589-9001.

Sources

These links point to external organizations for general education and are not a substitute for an evaluation by a qualified professional.

About the author

MTG Physical Therapy Team, Licensed Pediatric Physical Therapists

Our licensed pediatric physical therapists help children build strength, balance, coordination, and the gross-motor milestones that let them move with confidence. Physical therapy is a newer service at Midsouth Therapy Group, and we're accepting new referrals.

Meet the full team →

Learn more about physical therapy at Midsouth Therapy Group.

Concerned about motor milestones?

Our pediatric physical therapy team can assess your child's movement and tell you what would help. Reach out to start.

Request an evaluation