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Developmental assessments in children are recommended when there are concerns about a child’s ability to meet expected developmental milestones and perform everyday tasks.
These assessments involve a comprehensive evaluation of a child's physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional development
Early identification through developmental assessments allows for timely interventions, which can significantly improve outcomes for children by addressing their unique needs and supporting their growth and development in various areas.
Our Developmental assessments can be beneficial in:
Identifying and diagnosing a global intellectual delay
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.
Developing individualised management programs and funding
By identifying a child’s strengths and weaknesses, psychologists can collaborate with parents and teachers to create tailored interventions that address the child's unique learning and developmental needs. Diagnosing a developmental disability can support accessing government and school-based funding, providing the necessary support at home and school. This potential funding helps ensure that the child receives appropriate accommodations and resources to thrive in their learning and daily activities.
In combination with cognitive assessments
Developmental assessments can also be administered in conjunction with cognitive assessments to determine whether difficulties in particular areas can be explained by an intellectual disability or learning disorder.
A standardised psychometric assessment evaluates various areas of development, including communication skills, which assess speaking and listening abilities used to convey messages to others. It also evaluates social skills, necessary for interacting and getting along with others, including emotional attunement. Self-care skills, such as eating, dressing, and bathing, are measured to determine a child's capability in personal care. The assessment also considers self-direction skills needed for independence and self-control. Additionally, it evaluates motor skills, both gross motor skills (e.g., crawling and sitting) and fine motor skills (e.g., gripping and pointing).
Along with psychometric tools, a comprehensive assessment requires a thorough consultation process. This typically includes a developmental history interview with parents and consultations with teachers. These steps help gather detailed information about the child's developmental background and current functioning.
The results of the assessment are compiled into a written report. The psychologist will then discuss the findings with the parents, highlighting any identified needs and recommending appropriate interventions. This collaborative approach ensures that the child's unique developmental needs are understood and addressed effectively.
Developmental assessments involve a detailed process. To help formulate an accurate diagnosis, they typically require parent interviews to obtain:
With this knowledge, children and parents can start to better understand the underlying causes of challenging behaviour and formulate treatment plans to modify both the behaviour itself and its impact on everyday life.
We commonly use the following tools for a variety of purposes and age groups when completing this kind of assessment.
The Griffith Mental Development Scales (GMDS) assess a child's strengths and weaknesses in all developmental areas and can be used to determine if they need of early intervention or a treatment program. They are designed for children from birth to eight years.
The Vineland-3 is the leading instrument for supporting the diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. It assesses skills including communication, daily living, socialisation and motor skills.
The Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS-III) is a multidimensional assessment tool used to assess the functional skills necessary for daily living. It can assist in diagnosing disabilities and disorders.
Quirky Kid® would not be the company it is today without our talented, inspring and highly professional team that is as equally committed to the mental health and wellbeing of children as we are.
Our clinic provides psychological assessments and personalised treatment plans to support your child's needs. Our experienced psychologists gather detailed information to explore diagnoses and deliver effective interventions.
Each assessment results in a comprehensive report with background information, medical history, observations, and practical recommendations.
Our treatment plans address specific challenges and promote overall well-being.
Complete the form to schedule an assessment or treatment plan for your child.