Grandparents caring for grandchildren may notice that their grandchildren are having problems or may not be growing the way they think they should.
Children living with grandparents are at high risk for developmental delays or problems. Childhood experiences, such as being raised by a grandparent or being in an unstable environment, can also influence a child’s development.
The children – and the grandparents – may need extra help coping. For grandparents, caring for a child with developmental delays can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Developmental delays can lead to health, school, and family problems.
Grandparents who are concerned about their grandchild's development should seek professional help starting with the child's doctor. One resource that may be of assistance is the online publication, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Through the Eyes of a Child. Several of the nine fact sheets discuss developmental stages of children.
