Child & adolescent · Infants and toddlers
An early, clear picture of how your baby is developing.
A gentle, play-based developmental assessment for children from about 16 days to 42 months, using the Bayley-4, in Southport and by telehealth where suitable.
When a little one is not reaching milestones as expected, the first useful step is to understand what is happening, gently and without alarm.
For our youngest clients we use the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, fourth edition (the Bayley-4). It is a careful, play-based way to understand how a baby or toddler is developing across the areas that matter most in the early years. Families often come to us when a child was born early or with medical complexity, or when a parent, a health nurse or a paediatrician has noticed that things are not unfolding quite as expected.
What we look at
The areas the Bayley-4 covers
Five areas of early development, each looked at through play and everyday activities rather than formal testing.
- Thinking and problem solving (cognitive development): how your child explores, remembers and works things out
- Language: what your child understands, and how they are starting to communicate and use words
- Movement (motor development): both large movements like sitting, crawling and walking, and finer hand skills like reaching and grasping
- Social and emotional development: how your child connects, settles and responds to the people around them
- Everyday skills (adaptive behaviour): how your child is going with the practical parts of daily life for their age
What it feels like
Gentle, play-based, and with you in the room
There is nothing for your child to study for and nothing to pass or fail. Your child sits with you while we use toys and everyday activities to see how they are developing. We work at their pace, follow their lead, and take breaks for feeds, nappy changes and settling. You are part of the session throughout, and what you tell us about your child at home is as important as what we see on the day.
Helping your child show their best: a morning after a good sleep and a feed usually works well. Bring along a comfort item, and let us know the times of day your child is usually most settled so we can plan around them.
What is involved
The assessment, step by step
- Getting started. A first conversation about your child, your pregnancy and birth, and what you have noticed and are hoping to learn.
- Information gathering. A developmental and family history, and, with your consent, input from your child health nurse, paediatrician or early-childhood educators who know your child.
- A play-based session. Time with your child using toys and activities, with you alongside, at your child's pace and with breaks as needed.
- Bringing it together. Scoring and interpretation, comparing your child's development with what is expected for their age.
- Feedback and report. We talk you through what we found and give you a written report in plain language, with practical next steps.
What you will receive
A clear picture, and a useful starting point
A written report in plain language that describes how your child is developing across each area, sets out where development is on track and where there may be delay, and suggests practical next steps for home and for any support that would help. A developmental assessment describes and quantifies any delay; it is the first clarifying step, not a diagnosis on its own. Where extra support would help, an early picture lets that begin at the time it makes the most difference. With your consent we share the report with your GP, paediatrician or early-childhood service.
Our clinicians have contributed to the validation of the Bayley scales with Pearson Clinical.
“The first clarifying step, not a diagnosis on its own.”
Cost and funding
Clear on cost before we begin
Fees for this assessment are quoted at intake, and we confirm the fee with you before we begin. Some assessments attract Medicare or NDIS support depending on the question and the funding pathway; we confirm this with you before booking. Our fees are on the Fees and Policies page.
Take the next step
You do not need a referral for a private appointment. Request an appointment or call 0452 452 262. GPs, paediatricians and child health nurses can refer through our Make a referral page.
Request an appointmentSources: Pearson Clinical Assessment (Australia & New Zealand), Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition (Bayley-4 A&NZ).