Detailed Developmental Assessments
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Detailed developmental assessments
Many parents visit Dr Nicole Plesko-Altermatt for a detailed developmental assessment of their child. This may be because a parent suspects there may be some kind of delay, or it may be due to a suggestion from an educator.
We offer a safe and secure space to discuss your concerns and offer an expert assessment of your child’s development. Dr Nicole is based in our Star Vista clinic (off Holland Road) and our clinic is a family friendly, welcoming environment.
What is a Detailed Developmental Assessment?
For younger children developmental assessments may include speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving and socio-emotional development.
For older children and adolescents the focus may include different areas of academic thinking and on working / learning behaviours.
Furthermore, Swiss-trained Dr Nicole is one of only a handful of doctors in Singapore trained to identify specific developmental disorders, learning difficulties, ADHD and ADD. (And can access a network of professionals to support your child’s specific needs).
What is ADD or ADHD?
ADHD/ADD stands for Attention Deficit (and Hyperactivity) Disorder, which means that an affected person shows significant inattentiveness and possibly hyperactive or impulsive behaviour. It is important to note that hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are observed in many children and are part of normal child development. Only when this behaviour is impairing a child’s functions should we consider testing for AD(H)D.
Signs of inattention include; poor listening skills, frequent misplacing and losing of belongings, diminished attention span, difficulties in planning and finishing tasks.
Signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity include; fidgeting, inability to sit still, difficulties in waiting for a turn, frequently interrupting of others. If this sounds like your child, you may wish to seek an assessment.
How does Dr Nicole assess learning and attention skills?
To assess a child, Dr Nicole Plesko-Altermatt firstly discusses concerns with the parents/caregiver. She then conducts a thorough medical examination including a patient’s medical history. After this she conducts a detailed developmental assessment. A developmental assessment usually consists of cognitive tests (such as solving logical problems, completing memory tasks, testing fine motor skills, and other cognition puzzles), behaviour observation in different situations, and detailed questionnaires.
Accessing bespoke support
Dr Nicole Plesko-Altermatt has a network of trusted professionals who are available to support the needs of your child. Every child is different, and whilst some may require speech therapy, others may require emotional support.
We know that it can be daunting to unpack ‘who does what’, so we have developed the infographic to explain who does what role and how we can help. Speak to us and we can help.
What next?
If you have concerns and would like to discuss your child’s development with Dr Nicole, please make an appointment. She has many years of training and offers kind and collaborative consultations. She implements world-class toys/testing equipment to offer families the most up-to-date assessments and has relationships with a network of trusted health professionals (for example; speech therapists, child psychologists, educational therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language support and many more). Depending upon your child’s needs we will access the appropriate support.