Developmental Assessment

Developmental assessments can be helpful when:

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• Identifying and diagnosing a developmental condition. This may include determining the severity of intellectual impairment and evaluating the impact it is having on meeting developmental milestones. Re-administering assessments can also provide a standardised method to monitor an individual’s progress over time. We do not conduct Autism Assessments/Diagnostic Assessments, but can help you identify if there a particular concerns that may warrant a more specific assessment. To learn more about getting a diagnosis, read here.
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• Developing individualised therapy and skill building programs: By identifying a child’s strengths and weaknesses, allied health professionals can work with parents  to develop programs to best accommodate their learning and developmental needs.
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• Accessing additional funding: Having a formal assessment of your child's developmental support needs can assist with accessing government funding and school-based funding to provide the necessary support at home and school to best accommodate the child’s needs

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We utilise a range of developmental assessments, and tailor this to each child. Common assessments we use include the Early Start Denver Model Checklist, the VB-MAPP, EFL Checklist, PEAK Assessment, and the Vineland-3 Adaptive Behaviour Scales. We may also use more specific assessments such as a Speech and Language Assessment, or the Bayley Scales Assessment, depending on your child's age and your concerns.

 

These assessments look at a range of developmental domains including language and communication, social skills, play skills, and cognitive skills, to help us identify where your child may need support. These assessments can also be helpful when you are considering seeking a formal diagnosis. We do not conduct diagnostic testing, and cannot diagnose children with Autism, however, we can help you identify if there are concerns that you can then raise with your general practitioner, or paediatric psychologist. If in doubt, we always recommend talking to your health care professional.