The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) determines a general developmental profile of any child up to 6 years of age.
The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination is one of the neurological assessment tools for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
Disability Classification Systems
CANS (Care and Need Scale)
GMFCS (General Motor Functional Classification Scale)
CFCS (Communication Function Classification System)
MACS (Manual Ability Classification Scale)
EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale)
Attention and concentration (ADHD) concerns can be partly addressed by getting parent and school to complete a screening questionnaire: SNAP-IV or Massachusets
Functional impacts of neurodevelopmental and psychological concerns (mainly ADHD) can be assessed using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scales both Parent Version and Self Report Version
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be partly addressed by asking the questions in the M-CHAT (which is brief but not comprehensive). There are other screening tools e.g ASDetect – all are sensitive for ASD features, but often not specific.
The DSM-5 checklist addresses formal criteria (with thanks to Laura Carpenter PhD.) for diagnosing ASD, informs a Report Template.
The Coventry Grid considers how to differentiate between ASD and other emotional/behavioural/attachment syndromes (with thanks to Dr Heather Moran)
The National Autism Diagnostic Guideline has a more comprehensive guide, including a Report Guideline/proforma, and Medical Evaluation proforma
Many proprietary, validated questionnaires exist for a range of neuro-developmental conditions, including the set managed by MHS (Multi-Health Systems – Online Assessment Centre)
REFERRAL RESOURCES
CAHS Child Development Service Referral
- How to write for the NDIS – “Getting the Language Right” by the Summer Foundation in 2018, has a great summary on page 3 .
- A Guide to Language About Disability – Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training or the PWDA Language Guide from the People With Disability Australia, both provide language and communication recommendations.
- NDIS – Wanslea Early Intervention (ECEI) – supports children 0-6 years with developmental delay or disability and their families/ carers in the South West, Great Southern, South Metropolitan, South East Metropolitan, Central South Metropolitan, North East Metropolitan, Central North Metropolitan, North Metropolitan and Inner Wheatbelt areas. (link to local resource)
- Rocky Bay Early Start Intervention Program – for children under 5 years not (yet) funded by NDIS with significant developmental delay and/or developmental regression, and at least two risk factors (including abnormal muscle tone, feeding difficulty, MSK abnormalities, other) – (link to local resource)
- Ability Centre In-home Baby Intervention Service (IBIS) – for infants who have been identified by medical professionals as being at risk of neurodevelopmental delay.
OTHER RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS AND PROFESSIONALS
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Autism Connect
Autism Advisory Service
Raising Children Network (Autism)
Autism Parent Handbook
Exercise on the Spectrum – link to an e-book created by a physiotherapist
School Can’t Resources for parents, carers and teachers – by Amaze (Victorian advocacy group) and includes toolkits.
ADHD
Australian Association of ADHD Professionals (AADPA): aadpa.com.au. Specifically: For Public, For Public (Myths & misinformation), For Educators and For Educators (educational adjustments)
Specific Learning Disabilities: LD Australia, or the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation
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