Youth Assessment

The first and most important step in helping your child reach their full potential is to understand their developmental history and their current physical and cognitive functioning.

For children who are not developing in a typical pattern, careful observation of key developmental milestones and neurological signs can provide important clues. Parents are often the first to notice these changes.

The questions below are commonly used by clinicians to better understand a child’s developmental trajectory and identify areas that may benefit from further assessment.

1. Early Developmental Milestones – These help determine whether early motor or language development followed a typical timeline.

• Was your child late to start walking?
• Did your child crawl, stand, or walk significantly later than other children of the same age?
• Was there a delay in your child learning to speak or forming sentences?
• Did your child have difficulty with early communication, such as responding to their name or maintaining eye contact?

2. Motor Function and Movement – These questions help identify potential neurological or neuromuscular issues.

• Does your child have an unusual walking pattern (for example toe-walking, stiffness, imbalance, or frequent falls)?
• Does your child appear clumsy or have difficulty with coordination?
• Has your child developed weakness or reduced movement on one side of the body?
• Does your child struggle with fine motor tasks such as writing, buttoning clothes, or using utensils?

3. Learning and Cognitive Development – These observations help assess cognitive performance and school-related functioning.

• Is your child experiencing learning difficulties at school?
• Does your child struggle with attention, memory, or following instructions?
• Does your child find it difficult to keep up academically with classmates?
• Have teachers raised concerns about your child’s learning, behaviour, or concentration?

4. Behaviour and Social Development – Changes in behaviour or social interaction can sometimes signal underlying neurological or developmental conditions.

• Have you noticed significant changes in your child’s behaviour or personality?
• Does your child have difficulty interacting socially with other children?
• Are there concerns related to emotional regulation, impulsivity, or attention?

5. Medical History and Neurological Events – Certain medical events can affect brain development and should always be considered.

• Has your child received a diagnosis of a neurological or developmental condition?
• Has your child ever had a brain infection (such as meningitis or encephalitis)?
• Has your child experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury?
• Has your child ever had seizures or unexplained episodes of loss of awareness?
• Were there any complications during pregnancy, birth, or the newborn period?

Answering these questions helps our clinicians build a clearer picture of your child’s development.

This information allows the medical team to recommend appropriate evaluations and personalised interventions aimed at improving your child’s cognitive, physical, and overall developmental outcomes.