Developmental Assessment for Autism, ADHD & Dyslexia in Johor Bahru
Developmental Assessment
Assessment for Autism, ADHD, Speech Delay & Learning Concerns
Southern Child Specialist Clinic in Johor Bahru provides developmental assessments for children with concerns related to autism, ADHD, speech and language delay, dyslexia, learning, attention, behaviour and social development.
Every child develops at their own pace. However, some children may experience persistent differences or delays in communication, learning, attention, behaviour, movement or social interaction that affect their progress at home, at school or in everyday activities.
A developmental assessment helps parents better understand their child’s strengths, areas of difficulty and support needs. It is not based on one behaviour or a single short observation. The assessment considers the child’s development over time and gathers information from parents, caregivers, teachers and other relevant sources when appropriate.
Quick Answer
What is a developmental assessment?
A developmental assessment looks at different areas of a child’s development, including communication, social interaction, behaviour, attention, learning, movement and daily living skills. It helps identify areas that may require further evaluation or support.
When should a child have a developmental assessment?
An assessment may be helpful when developmental concerns are persistent, affect the child’s daily functioning, or are noticed across home, school or other settings. Examples include speech delay, difficulty with social interaction, attention concerns, learning difficulties or loss of previously acquired skills.
Does a developmental assessment diagnose autism or ADHD?
A developmental assessment may contribute to the evaluation of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or other developmental concerns. Diagnosis is not based on one symptom or observation alone and may require information from multiple settings and, when appropriate, other professionals.
When May a Developmental Assessment Be Helpful?
Parents may consider an assessment when they notice concerns such as:
These signs do not automatically confirm autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or a learning disorder. Similar concerns may also be associated with hearing, vision, sleep, language, emotional, educational or other medical factors.
What Areas Are Assessed?
Depending on your child’s age and presenting concerns, the assessment may consider:
Communication & Language
- Understanding and following instructions
- Expressive language and vocabulary
- Speech and communication
- Social communication
- Interaction with parents, caregivers and other children
Social Interaction & Behaviour
- Eye contact and shared attention
- Play skills and social interaction
- Repetitive behaviours, routines or interests
- Emotional regulation
- Response to changes in routine
- Sensory responses
Attention & Activity Level
- Ability to remain focused on age-appropriate activities
- Distractibility
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
- Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks
Learning & School Function
- Reading and writing
- Spelling and language skills
- Mathematics
- Classroom behaviour
- Learning progress
- School performance and teacher concerns
Daily Living & Development
- Self-care skills
- Feeding and daily routines
- Sleep
- Motor development
- Age-appropriate developmental milestones
What Does the Assessment Include?
Depending on your child’s age and presenting concerns, the assessment may include:
- Detailed pregnancy, birth, medical and developmental history
- Review of speech, language and communication
- Observation of play and social interaction
- Assessment of attention, activity level and behaviour
- Review of learning progress and school performance
- Assessment of daily living and self-care skills
- Review of sleep, feeding and sensory concerns
- Information from parents, teachers or caregivers when appropriate
- Age-appropriate developmental screening tools or questionnaires
- Physical and neurological examination when indicated
Autism & ADHD Assessment
Autism Assessment
An autism assessment considers patterns in social communication and interaction, play, behaviour, interests and sensory responses.
Concerns may include differences in eye contact, social interaction, communication, pretend play, response to social cues, repetitive behaviours, restricted interests or difficulty with changes in routine.
A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is not made based on one behaviour alone. The child's developmental history and behaviour across different situations are considered, and additional professional assessment may be recommended when appropriate.
ADHD Assessment
An ADHD assessment considers persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
The assessment may consider whether these behaviours are appropriate for the child’s developmental age, how long they have been present, whether they occur in more than one setting and how they affect learning, relationships and daily functioning.
Information from parents, teachers and other caregivers may be useful because children's behaviour can vary between home, school and other environments.
Speech & Language Concerns
Speech and language concerns may involve delayed vocabulary, difficulty understanding language, difficulty expressing needs, unclear speech or challenges with communication and social interaction.
A developmental assessment can help determine whether further evaluation may be appropriate. Depending on the findings, referral to a speech and language therapist may be recommended.
Hearing and other factors that can affect communication may also need to be considered.
Learning Difficulties & Dyslexia
Children with reading, writing or learning concerns may require assessment of their developmental history, language, attention and school progress.
A learning evaluation may also involve collaboration with the child's school, educational psychologist or other relevant professionals.
Dyslexia cannot be confirmed through a single medical test. A comprehensive assessment may be needed to understand the child's specific learning profile and identify appropriate support.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Following the assessment, the paediatrician will explain the findings and discuss appropriate next steps.
Depending on your child's needs, recommendations may include:
Developmental assessments at Southern Child Specialist Clinic are provided by Dr. Derreck Ng Yang Jein, Consultant Paediatrician (MBBS IMU, MRCPCH UK). He has additional training in areas including autism assessment and dyslexia assessment, and provides paediatric care for children with developmental, learning, behavioural and communication concerns.
When Should Parents Seek Assessment?
Parents do not need to wait until a concern becomes severe before discussing it with a healthcare professional.
Consider a developmental assessment if:
- Your child is not meeting expected developmental milestones
- Speech or language development appears delayed
- Your child has persistent social communication concerns
- Attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity is affecting daily activities
- Learning difficulties are affecting school progress
- Behavioural concerns are persistent or difficult to manage
- Your child has difficulty with age-appropriate self-care skills
- You notice a loss of previously acquired developmental skills
If your child has lost communication, social or other developmental skills that were previously acquired, seek medical assessment promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can a child have a developmental assessment?
Developmental concerns can be assessed at different ages, from infancy through childhood and adolescence. The areas assessed and methods used will depend on the child's age and presenting concerns.
Can a paediatrician assess my child for autism?
A paediatrician can assess developmental and behavioural concerns that may be associated with autism and determine whether further evaluation is appropriate. Depending on the findings, referral to other professionals may be recommended.
Can a developmental assessment diagnose ADHD?
An ADHD assessment involves evaluating patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity and their effect on the child's daily functioning. Information from more than one setting may be required, and further assessment may be recommended depending on the findings.
Can speech delay be assessed by a paediatrician?
Yes. A paediatrician can assess a child's speech and language development and consider medical or developmental factors that may contribute to the concern. Referral to a speech and language therapist may be recommended when appropriate.
Can a developmental assessment diagnose dyslexia?
Dyslexia generally requires a comprehensive assessment of reading and learning skills rather than a single medical test. A paediatrician can assess the child's overall developmental and medical history and advise whether further educational or psychological assessment may be appropriate.
Should I bring my child's school reports?
Yes. School reports, teacher feedback, previous therapy reports and examples of schoolwork can provide useful information about your child's learning, behaviour and functioning in a school environment.
Developmental Assessment in Johor Bahru
If you have concerns about your child's communication, social interaction, attention, behaviour, learning, speech or developmental progress, Southern Child Specialist Clinic in Johor Bahru can provide an age-appropriate developmental assessment and discuss the next appropriate step.
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