Developmental Assessment
Children reach milestones at different times, and most variation is normal. What matters is a child who is not progressing, or who has lost a skill they had. Assessment establishes which of those it is, and where support is needed it works best when it starts early.
- Structured, not a general impression
- Checks movement, speech and interaction
- Early support changes outcomes most
- Parents' observations count as evidence
Stay
Outpatient
Duration
About 30 to 45 minutes
Anaesthesia
Not applicable
About Developmental Assessment
A developmental assessment looks at four areas: gross motor, fine motor, speech and language, and social and behavioural development. The child is observed and engaged with rather than tested, and much of the information comes from the parent. The purpose is not to label a child but to establish whether targeted support, whether speech therapy, physiotherapy or something else, would help.
- Four areas assessed, not a single score
- The child is observed and engaged rather than tested
- Losing a skill previously gained is more significant than a late milestone
- The aim is to identify useful support, not to apply a label
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about developmental assessment. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest developmental assessment.
- Delay in sitting, walking or other motor milestones
- Speech that is late or difficult to understand
- Concerns about interaction, eye contact or play
- Loss of a skill the child previously had
- Follow-up after prematurity or a difficult birth
- Concerns raised at school or nursery
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
History from the parent
A detailed account of what the child does and does not do, when milestones were reached, and what prompted the concern.
Observation and play
The child is observed playing and engaged with directly. Much of the assessment happens through play rather than instruction.
Structured checks
Movement, fine motor skills, speech and social interaction are each assessed against expected ranges for the age.
Plan
Where support would help, referral to speech therapy, physiotherapy or occupational therapy is arranged, with a review date.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Note specific examples of what concerns you, with rough dates
- Bring any report from school or nursery
- Bring previous growth and immunisation records
- Bring a favourite toy, as a settled child shows more of what they can do
- Come at a time of day when the child is usually alert rather than tired
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Where support is recommended, starting early matters more than any other factor
- Follow the exercises or activities given at home, as they do most of the work between visits
- Progress is reviewed after a set interval rather than immediately
- Hearing is often checked, since hearing loss is a common and treatable cause of speech delay
- Report any loss of skills immediately rather than waiting for the review
Why choose Humayun for developmental assessment
Early support does far more than late support, which makes how quickly a child is assessed the thing that matters.
- Concerns assessed rather than deferred with a wait-and-see, because time lost is difficult to recover
- Hearing checked alongside speech, since hearing loss is a common and treatable cause
- Referral to therapy arranged with a review date rather than left open
- Parents treated as the primary source of information, because they are
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