Understanding Why Development Is Not Progressing as Expected
Development occurs across multiple domains.
A child may have difficulty in one area, such as speech, or may have delays across several areas.
We assess development in domains including:
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Speech and language
Cognitive development
Social development
Adaptive skills
Behaviour and attention
Why Assessment Matters
Developmental delay can have many causes.
The purpose of assessment is not only to identify that a delay exists but also to understand its pattern and look for possible contributing factors.
Depending on the presentation, evaluation may include developmental, neurological, hearing, vision, genetic, metabolic or other investigations.
Early Intervention
Early intervention provides an opportunity to support developing skills while the child's brain is rapidly changing.
Intervention may include:
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Developmental stimulation
Educational intervention
Parent training
Medical treatment when indicated
Every Child Has a Developmental Profile
The important question is not simply:
“Is my child delayed?”
It is:
“Which abilities are delayed, which abilities are preserved, and which skills should we work on first?”
This forms the basis of an individualised intervention plan.
