What is a Developmental Pediatric Assessment?
A developmental pediatric assessment is done by a developmental pediatrician- a qualified general pediatrician who has specialized knowledge and experience in assessing and managing children with developmental disabilities, such as global or specific developmental delays, autism, cerebral palsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities etc.

It involves gathering information on age-specific behaviors through testing, observations and interactions with the child and the parents, in order to arrive at a diagnosis.

Area of Focus for Assessment
Assessment involves documentation of present or absent organic pathologic processes as well as the determination of the possible etiology of the disability. This includes medical and neurological examinations by gathering the child's developmental, academic and behavioral history. In addition to this, a detailed observation of the child's abilities, strengths and weaknesses, play and social skills is done using both formal and informal tools.

Ongoing Care/Therapy
A developmental pediatrician is required not only to evaluate but also to assist in management of children with cognitive, motor, communicative and/or behavioral difficulties. Ongoing care necessitates periodic follow-ups which enables the pediatrician to establish checks and balances based on reports by parents and teachers. In addition to this formal testing as well as comparative data from one assessment point to another to uncover patterns in the developmental process.

Neurological conditions, genetic and metabolic issues as well as chronic physical medical illnesses often impact a child's learning and behavior. The developmental pediatrician is able to assess and quantify the magnitude of impact, which determines the level and kind of ongoing care required.

Ongoing care also requires the developmental pediatrician to serve as the child's advocate. In doing so they often become the coordinator of the interdisciplinary team as well as a consultant to the school or other agencies to improve the provision of services for children with disabilities. The developmental pediatrician also needs to be able to impart appropriate and accurate information to parents and other allied professionals, helping them to understand the needs to the child.