Developmental Delay Assessment

Developmental delay refers to a condition in which a child fails to reach their developmental milestones within the expected time frame. It can affect various areas of a child's growth, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Children with developmental delay may have difficulty in acquiring basic skills such as sitting, crawling, walking, talking, or forming relationships with others. It is crucial to identify and address developmental delays early on to provide appropriate interventions and support. A comprehensive assessment by a healthcare professional, such as a paediatrician, can help determine the underlying cause of the delay and guide the formulation of an individualised treatment plan to optimise the child's development.

Early intervention and ongoing monitoring play a vital role in helping children with developmental delay reach their full potential and ensure their overall well-being.

Guidance for Developmental Assessments

NICE GUIDELINES and DSM-V DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent organisation in the United Kingdom that provides evidence-based guidance and advice to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public.
NICE aims to reduce variations in diagnosis and treatment across different regions or institutions.
For children and young people born preterm there is NICE guideline [NG72] which makes recommendations for their developmental follow-up but no such guideline exists for those delayed and born at term.

There are a range of standardised assessments that can be used to assess a child’s development. In the developmental delay assessment the Schedule of Growing Skills 2 assessment is used. This is a valuable tool used in paediatric care to track a child's development across various domains.

This assessment follows a structured schedule to evaluate the child's skills in areas such as communication, motor skills, cognitive abilities, social-emotional development, and self-help skills. It identifies any delays or areas requiring additional support. This helps to make recommendations about interventions to support the child's development. Paired with a full physical examination looking for any physical or health issues that also may be impacting on development.

The DSM-V, also known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, is a comprehensive and widely used classification system for disorders. It provides guidelines and criteria to help clinicians diagnose and classify various conditions.

The DSM-V 315.8 criteria are used to plot the child’s profile against and demonstrate whether they meet the criteria for a diagnosis of global developmental delay. Usually seen when all areas are significantly behind expected levels.

Developmental Delay Assessment Process

Step 1:

Neurodevelopmental Assessment

Information is gathered about the child, any concerns, birth history, past medical history, development.

Step 2:

Observation and Examination

During the assessment the child’s behaviour and play will be observed and a short physical examination will be carried out.

Step 3:

Assessments

Recommendations will be made regarding whether further assessments are needed.

Step 4:

Feedback

At the end of the assessment feedback will be given on the findings and further recommendations will be made.

What Happens At an Assessment?

The whole process is child led, your child will be encouraged to share their experiences and participate as much as they wish or are able.

We will talk through concerns, progress, medical and family history. Information will be gathered on your Childs development from birth to now and specific symptoms.

Any existing reports or assessments completed on your child are used to inform the process.

The sorts of specific assessments used are:

  • Nursery questionnaires for further information (if applicable)

  • Reports from Health visitors

  • It may be recommended your child has a further assessment from allied health professionals like a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist.

  • The consulting rooms is a relaxing environment that doesn’t feel medical at all.

What Happens After an Assessment?

Following the feedback session, the reports will be compiled and shared with you securely via email.

There is the opportunity to review the report to ensure you are happy with it, it will then be shared with your child’s GP. You are welcome to share the report with nursery or other professionals involved in your child’s care.

Included with the final reports is the invoice. This is payable by bank transfer within 28 days. If card payment is preferred this can be arranged and a card link will be sent. All major debit and credit cards are accepted. It is possible to pay by instalments leading up to or following the assessment, please ask for this to be arranged.

Developmental Co-ordination Disorder Assessment Cost

DCD Assessment: from £600

This package includes:

  • A neurodevelopmental assessment

  • Gathering all of the home and school based information

  • Physical examination

  • Feedback

Additional assessment from a specialist speech and language therapist may be recommended. This can be completed within the NHS or private colleagues.

Developmental Assessment: £325

For children age under 5, this assessment package includes:

  • Gathering all of the home and nursery based information (where applicable)

  • Physical examination

  • Schedule of Growing Skills II developmental assessment

  • Feedback and recommendations

Additional assessments from allied health professionals like a specialist speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist may be recommended. This can be completed within the NHS or private colleagues.

Combined Assessment: £1,850

If you are concerned that autism may be present with other conditions or just aren’t sure it may be worth completing assessments for a range of conditions at the same time.

This package includes:

  • A neurodevelopmental assessment

  • Gathering all of the home and school based information

  • ADOS assessment

  • ADHD questionnaires

  • Qbcheck assessment

  • Feedback

Payment terms: You will receive an invoice with the final reports. This is payable by bank transfer within 28 days. If card payment is preferred this can be arranged and a card link will be sent. All major debit and credit cards are accepted. It is possible to pay by instalments leading up to or following the assessment, please ask for this to be arranged. Dr Sarah Mills is registered with health insurance providers, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Developmental Assessment Cost

Pre-School Assessment: from £895.00

For children under age 4, this assessment package includes:

  • a neurodevelopmental assessment

  • gathering all of the home and nursery based information

  • Play-based assessment or ADOS assessment

  • Feedback

Additional assessment from a specialist speech and language therapist may be recommended. This can be completed within the NHS or private colleagues.

Payment terms: You will receive an invoice with the final reports. This is payable by bank transfer within 28 days. If card payment is preferred this can be arranged and a card link will be sent. All major debit and credit cards are accepted. It is possible to pay by instalments leading up to or following the assessment, please ask for this to be arranged. Dr Sarah Mills is registered with health insurance providers, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Developmental Assessment: £325.00

For children age under 5, this assessment package includes:

  • Gathering all of the home and nursery based information (where applicable)

  • Physical examination

  • Schedule of Growing Skills II developmental assessment

  • Feedback and recommendations

Additional assessments from allied health professionals like a specialist speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist may be recommended. This can be completed within the NHS or private colleagues.

Advice & Guidance: £325.00

A consultation can be arranged over video call or face to face to discuss any concerns. This can be prior to or following a diagnosis to review support or make further recommendations.

Your child may or may not be present for the session dependant upon personal choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Babies or children may not be making progress with their developmental skills or meeting their ‘milestones’. The sorts of things this can include are:

    • Delays in rolling over, sitting up, crawling and walking.

    • Trouble with fine motor skills.

    • Problems understanding what others say.

    • Trouble with problem-solving.

    • Issues with social skills.

    • Problems talking or talking late.

    • Difficulty remembering things.

  • Every child is different and development is a spectrum so sometimes children just take their own time to make progress.

    There often isn’t a known cause or reason.

    Factors that may contribute can occur before a child is born, during the birth process, and after birth. These could include:

    • Genetic or hereditary conditions

    • Metabolic disorders

    • Trauma or injury to the brain

    • Effects from maternal health in pregnancy or issues during birth

    • Serious infections

    • Neglect

  • Being delayed can have an impact on a child's ability to learn, communicate, and interact with others. Some children catch up in their own time with support, others remain delayed. Some children will go on to get a diagnosis of a learning or intellectual disability.

  • The progress a child makes or the recovery they achieve depends upon the cause of the delay if known and the severity.

    Though it is called ‘delay’ some children dont catch up to where they should be for their age.

    Other children with time and the right support may eventually meet expected milestones.

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