Developmental Paediatrics

Get to know Developmental Paediatrics

From Developmental Paediatrics's website.

• Our approach

  The practice uses a collaborative, multidisciplinary team approach where professionals work together in one centre rather than in isolation. Sessions are tailored to your child's needs, with assessments designed to give you a clear, integrated plan of recommendations. For younger children, the initial appointment includes a Developmental Paediatrician alongside a Speech Pathologist or Psychologist to guide further assessment direction. For school-age children, comprehensive assessment days bring together multiple specialists to assess your child across development, learning, behaviour, and nutrition. The focus is on understanding your child within their family and community context, with the goal of helping every child reach their potential through medical, psychological, behavioural, nutritional, educational, and therapy interventions delivered in one accessible centre.

• Working with families

  The practice involves both parents and children in assessments, with reports provided to your General Practitioner and shared with parents as appropriate. Your treating practitioner should be notified of custody arrangements or any family court orders if parents are separated, and it is the responsibility of the parent making the appointment to communicate information and invite the other parent if in a shared parenting situation. Both parents and children are involved in assessment days for school-age children, and the practice believes that children's best interests are served through open communication, shared decision-making, and consistency between parents regarding the child's health and education. At the time of booking, the admin team will discuss appointment details and any relevant information needed for individualised care.

• Meet the team

  The specialist team includes Developmental Paediatricians, General Paediatricians, Adolescent Health Physicians, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Neuropsychologists, Educational and Developmental Psychologists, Speech Pathologists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, an Art Therapist, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Physicians, a Clinical Geneticist, a Paediatric Rehabilitation Physician, a Neurodevelopmental Educator, a Paediatric Sleep Physician, and Learning Support Teachers. In total there are 35 professionals working together in the centre. The team brings together diverse expertise and experience from varied practices and settings, all collaborating under one roof to provide integrated care for your child and family.

• Your first visit

  At an initial appointment, you'll bring your child's Medicare card, referral, and recent medical records including school reports and any previous assessment reports from other practitioners. For early childhood assessments (ages 6 months–5 years), your child will be seen by a Developmental Paediatrician together with a Speech Pathologist or Psychologist, who will determine the direction of further assessment and therapy tailored to your child's needs. For school-age multidisciplinary assessment days, both you and your child are involved in comprehensive collaborative assessments across multiple areas including development, behaviour, nutrition, hearing, cognition, and academics, with a case conference to produce an integrated plan. You'll be notified of the expected appointment length at the time of booking, and reports are always provided after multidisciplinary assessments and routine communication with your General Practitioner occurs after paediatrician appointments.