Our services: assessment and support
The Child Development Service provides a range of free allied health, medical and nursing services to children with developmental delay or difficulty living in the Perth metropolitan area.
Our skilled clinicians support children with delay in one or more areas including physical (fine and gross motor), communication, social/emotional and cognitive (thinking) skills.
Depending on your child’s needs and age, they may have appointments with more than one of our clinicians.
To access our services, a referral will first need to be accepted.
The information provided on the referral form along with any supporting documents (e.g. private health practitioner reports, school reports, medical reports) will help us determine a service plan (including an assessment pathway and team member(s) your child may see) that best meets the needs of your child.
Parents, carers and families play an important role in supporting their child's development.
We work closely with families to plan services and set goals based on your child’s needs, strengths and interests, and your concerns and priorities for your child.
We have a strong focus on working in partnership with parents/carers and ensuring families have the skills, knowledge and confidence to support their child's development at home.
At your first appointment, we will discuss your concerns and priorities for your child and develop a service plan together.
Some families may need additional support to get the most from our services. We offer:
- interpreter services: our staff can arrange for an interpreter to talk to you face-to-face, via videoconference or by telephone. This is free of charge.
- translated materials: this may include appointment information and key Child Development Service handouts.
- Aboriginal health liaison officers: provide cultural support, advocacy and connection with relevant resources, and can work with you to ensure you understand and are involved in your child’s care.
- care navigators: additional support for families to understand options and processes related to accessing other services, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Assessment of your child’s development
Your child will be seen for assessment by one or more of our clinicians based on your concerns, your child’s age and their needs. For example, if the main concern for your child is related to their talking and communication, you will be offered an assessment with a speech pathologist. As required, your clinician may link you with other members in our team.
Assessment of your child’s development may include:
- observation: our clinicians may observe your child’s behaviour, play, and interactions with others.
- standardised tests: these tools help assess your child’s skills and abilities.
- parent input: we gather information about your child’s developmental history, home environment, and any concerns or observations you may have.
- school/child care input: feedback from educators provides us with information about how your child is engaging in structured environments such as classrooms and child care settings.
Neurodevelopmental assessment (including ADHD and autism)
Children with significant developmental concerns across multiple developmental areas may be offered a neurodevelopmental assessment.
This assessment may be with one of our developmental paediatricians or with a team of our clinicians.
Visit our neurodiversity page for more information on assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.
Please note we do not provide cognitive assessments to help understand learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. Your child’s school may be able to assist if you have concerns in this area.
Preparing for your child's assessment appointment
Please come prepared for your appointment to help us address your concerns.
We may request that you complete an online questionnaire(s) before attending your appointment. This information helps to guide your clinician’s questions and assessment.
Before the appointment
Think about:
- what are your concerns?
- what difficulties is your child experiencing?
- what changes would you like to see for your child?
Write down any questions you would like to ask so that you do not forget them during the visit.
What to bring
Where relevant and available, please bring the following to your appointment:
- your child's Purple Book (Child Health Record)
- school reports
- NAPLAN results (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy)
- previous assessment reports, including
- allied health clinician reports (e.g. speech therapy, occupational therapy)
- psychological assessments
- private paediatrician reports
- any other documents you feel might help explain your child's needs.
Following assessment, we offer a tailored number and type of appointments based on your child's age and needs. While we don't provide long term allied health services, in addition to providing the agreed sessions, we will work with you during this time to prepare you with the information and skills required to support your child’s ongoing development.
Some of the services we offer may include:
- individual or group therapy appointments
- parent workshops
- activity ideas and resources for home, school, or child care
- information on community resources and services
- referral to other services.
It can be helpful for us to communicate with other services and agencies involved in your child's care.
With your consent, we can work with other professionals to provide coordinated care for your child. This may include:
- child health nurses
- school health nurses
- child care staff
- teachers
- school psychologists
- general practitioners (GP)
- other health professionals, including private clinicians.
We do not provide:
- mental health (only) services
- general medical, surgical or acute services
- rehabilitation services
- emergency/crisis services
- services to children who are receiving services from another government funded agency they may be entitled to*
*Children receiving National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded services may still be able to access Child Development Service diagnostic and medical services (e.g. with our CDS paediatrician and audiologist).