At what age do children with Down syndrome typically show slower gross motor skill development?

• A. 24 months
• B. 12 months
• C. 3 months
• D. 6 months

Answer: (D)

Gross motor development in Down syndrome is slowed from early infancy due to hypotonia and ligamentous laxity, which make it harder to generate the strength and coordination needed for motor milestones. Infants typically progress through a sequence: head control, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking. In Down syndrome, this progression lags behind peers, and by about six months you commonly see slower gains in gross motor skills compared with typically developing infants. This early slowdown sets the pattern for ongoing delays, with independent walking often arriving later in toddlerhood. Early intervention with targeted motor activities can help maximize progression along this trajectory.