Milestones & timelines

How skills usually develop by age, and how recovery typically unfolds. Every person is different - these are general guides.

Development by age

Speech & language (0-5 years) A rough guide to how understanding and talking usually unfold.

Ranges are wide and normal. If in doubt, ask a health visitor or speech therapist - early help is easy.

By 6 months

Turns to sounds; coos and laughs

Enjoys back-and-forth 'conversations' of noises.
By 12 months

Babbles, points, first words

Understands 'no' and simple words like their name.
By 18 months

Several single words; follows simple instructions

Points to show you things they find interesting.
By 2 years

Two-word phrases ('more juice')

Understands far more than they can say.
By 3 years

Short sentences; strangers understand a lot

Asks 'what' and 'why' questions.
By 4-5 years

Tells stories; mostly clear speech

Follows longer, multi-step instructions.

Movement (0-2 years) How babies typically build head control, sitting, and walking.

Some healthy babies skip crawling or walk later. Persistent asymmetry (always using one side) is worth checking.

Thinking & self-control (child to teen) Executive skills - attention, memory, and self-control - grow slowly across childhood.

These skills keep maturing into the mid-20s, which is why teens can be capable yet impulsive.

Toddler

Brief attention; big feelings, little control

Learns through play and routine.
Preschool

Waits a short while; follows 2-step rules

Pretend play builds flexible thinking.
Early school

Focuses longer; holds instructions in mind

Can plan simple tasks with support.
Older child

Plans ahead; manages more distraction

Better at seeing another point of view.
Teen

Abstract reasoning; still-maturing impulse control

Judgement improves with experience.

Thinking across adulthood Different abilities peak at different times - and knowledge keeps growing.

Some slowing with age is normal. Getting lost on familiar routes is not - see the red flags.

20s-30s

Peak processing speed and working memory
40s-50s

Vocabulary, judgement, and expertise keep rising

Experience offsets small drops in speed.
60s+

Slower recall and multitasking; knowledge stays strong

Lifestyle strongly shapes the trajectory.
Any age

The brain keeps learning

Novel, effortful, social activity builds reserve.

Stroke recovery timeline A general sense of how recovery often unfolds - not a fixed schedule.

Recovery is often fastest early but can continue for years. Plateaus are normal, not the end.

First hours

Emergency treatment

Fast treatment saves brain tissue - act FAST.
First days

Stabilise and start gentle rehab

Early movement and assessment begin.
First weeks

Intensive rehabilitation

Often the period of quickest gains.
3-6 months

Steady, task-specific practice

Skills rebuild through repetition that matters to you.
6 months+

Continued gains are possible

The brain keeps rewiring with practice.

Brain injury recovery timeline Recovery after a traumatic brain injury varies widely with severity.

Milder injuries (concussion) usually recover in days to weeks with graded rest and activity.

Acute

Medical stabilisation

Monitoring and protecting the brain come first.
Early

Waking up and reorientation

Confusion and fatigue are common and expected.
Weeks-months

Active rehabilitation

Movement, thinking, communication, and daily skills.
Months-years

Reintegration

Returning to home, study, work, and relationships.