Developmental Assessments

Developmental Assessments :

Early Signs of Autism in Children.

Developmental Assessments allow for the identification of the strengths, developmental milestones, and the areas that might benefit from additional support. We use evidence-based tools and child friendly evaluation methods in a comprehensive Developmental Assessment at SETU Child Development Centre. In addition, our expert staff closely monitor each child’s learning, behavior, motor skills, social interactions, and cognitive abilities. This means that families will have a clear picture of their child’s development and specific needs.

All children grow at their own rate. The early developmental evaluations thus serve a crucial function in early detection of the concerns, before they get serious. Also, our multi-disciplinary team conducts structured assessments and clinical observations of each child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, social and language development. In addition, we have close collaboration with parents to build up a detailed developmental history and get a picture of each child’s daily difficulties. This all-encompassing approach will assist us in making sound recommendations and developing suitable interventions.

Supporting Children and Families

Children are assessed individually at SETU Child Development Centre. First: Our professional staff meet with parents and discuss the child’s developmental history and concerns. Then, age appropriate developmental assessment is done with standardised assessment tools and clinical observation. Moreover, our multi-disciplinary team thoroughly considers what has been found, and then drafts a thorough assessment report. Consequently, practical recommendations, goals for therapy, and suggestions for what families can do next are given.

Developmental Assessments are appropriate for children with developmental delays, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), speech and language delays, learning difficulties, behavioural concerns, sensory processing issues and other developmental delays. We also offer parents individualised advice and helpful strategies to help their child at home. Thus, families become more confident and make better informed decisions on therapy and intervention services.

Our Assessment Process

Our purpose at SETU Child Development Centre is to find out what a child’s developmental needs are as early as possible and provide the appropriate guidance at the appropriate time. In addition, we feel that early assessment results in early intervention and improved long term outcomes. Consequently, children can be supported in a personal way, to develop their confidence, life skills and potential.

Learn more about developmental milestones and early identification through the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. initiative: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/

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Importance of the Developmental Assessment

1. Developmental assessments are usually done because of a concern that the child may have a developmental delay or disorder. It is important to include a developmental assessment when evaluating children with possible developmental problems because such assessments can:

• help identify possible developmental problems and the need for further diagnostic evaluation
• provide an objective description of the child’s abilities and deficits (a functional assessment)
• determine eligibility for programs (such as early intervention programs)
• aid in planning for appropriate interventions.

2. In children who are diagnosed with autism, or in whom there is sufficient evidence to suggest a diagnosis of autism, it is very important to do a general assessment of all developmental domains. Because children with autism may demonstrate different patterns of strengths and weaknesses, it is important to individualize the specific components of a developmental assessment.

3. It is recommended that a developmental assessment for a young child provide an adequate functional evaluation of all developmental domains.

Important components of a developmental assessment include the following:

• standardized testing of:
  • cognitive ability
  • communication
  • motor/physical skills
  • adaptive skills
  • social, emotional, and behavioral functioning
  • sensory processing
• curriculum-based assessments
• observation of the child at informal or structured play and of parent-child interactions
• parental interview to elicit their concerns, obtain a history of the child’s early development, and gather information about the child’s current level of functioning
• review of the child’s records (health, education and daycare, etc.) and family medical history.