Educational Tool

Should I Contact a Developmental Paediatrician?

Educational guide to when to consider a developmental paediatric review. Non-diagnostic.

Children playing with colourful wooden blocks together
A parent listening to their child at home
Preschoolers building with wooden blocks in a bright playroom
A child standing apart while others play — social difficulties
Everyday moments: play, big feelings, and parent conversations
Children collaborating during play-based learning
A teenager studying at a desk with books and laptop
Children playing with colourful wooden blocks together
A parent listening to their child at home
Preschoolers building with wooden blocks in a bright playroom
A child standing apart while others play — social difficulties
Everyday moments: play, big feelings, and parent conversations
Children collaborating during play-based learning
A teenager studying at a desk with books and laptop

This educational guide helps you think through whether a developmental paediatric review would be helpful. It is not a diagnostic tool.

  • Multiple areas

    Concerns spanning communication, behaviour, learning or emotional wellbeing.

  • Persistent worry

    Concerns that persist despite good preschool or school support.

  • Family sense

    A parental sense that something is not quite right.

  • School flags

    Teachers or preschool have raised concerns.

  • Complexity

    Overlapping factors — sleep, anxiety, learning — that no one is looking at together.

Important

This educational guide is not a diagnosis, medical assessment, emergency service or substitute for consultation with a qualified professional.

Common questions

Is a review always necessary?
No. Sometimes a short conversation is enough. Sometimes a considered review makes a big difference.