First conversation
Share what you are noticing, what is going well and what you hope will become easier.
Assessment
A clearer picture—not a label.
A developmental assessment can organise what families and educators are noticing, explore strengths and support needs, and inform a practical starting plan. It is not a formal medical diagnosis.
The short answer
What can an assessment tell us?
It can help describe how a child currently communicates, learns, moves, responds to sensory experiences, participates socially and expresses needs through behaviour. The result should be a clearer, individual plan—not a prediction of the child’s future or a guaranteed recommendation.
What to expect
Four calm steps.
Observation and activities
The team explains the process and uses age- and purpose-appropriate observations or activities.
Shared understanding
Information is considered across relevant developmental and participation areas.
Discussion and next steps
You receive an explanation of the picture, its limits and possible next steps.
Six areas often considered
The whole child, not a single score.
Communication
Learning
Movement and motor skills
Sensory responses
Social participation
Behaviour as communication
The exact domains, tools, assessor qualifications, duration and deliverables must be confirmed for the individual assessment.
An assessment can
Organise observations
Identify strengths and support needs
Guide questions and priorities
Inform an individual starting plan
An assessment cannot
Guarantee progress or placement
Predict a child’s future
Replace an appropriate medical diagnosis
Make every child fit one programme
A calmer next step
You do not need every answer before speaking to us.
Begin with what you are noticing. We will listen before recommending a next step.