Preschool Development Clinic

About the clinic

The Preschool Development Clinic at the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital has been established to assess children aged 3 to 5 years with developmental variations which may have an effect on emerging learning and behavioural skills. The aim is for identification of risks to successful childcare / preschool / kindergarten experience, transition to school, and development of academic and social/emotional skills in the early years of school.

Patients are bulk billed for their consultations and therefore will need a referral from their general practitioner.

About Preschool Development

During the preschool period around ages 3 to 5 years, children are developing rapidly. However, children vary in their developmental progress. At this stage of life, significant variations across the range of developmental domains can have an impact on how children progress through this critical period. Developmental delays or specific developmental disorders will also have a significant impact.

The child will be assessed by a paediatrician to identify risk and resilience factors, make a specific diagnosis if relevant, and develop a management plan for parents to work in partnership with community providers.

The clinic will link with community based early childhood services, speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology and primary care nurses and doctors to advise about coordinated management in the local community.

Medical tests, diagnosis, treatment plans and referrals will be performed as appropriate.

Clinic staff include consultant paediatricians, senior paediatric trainees and clinic coordinators. There may be teaching and research activities in the clinic.

NB - This clinic is not a multidisciplinary diagnostic clinic (eg. autism), but will make such referrals if appropriate.

Last Updated 23-Oct-2009. Authorised by: Frank Oberklaid. Enquiries: Penny Miller.