Do we need a diagnosis before asking for help?
Parents sometimes delay seeking support because they believe their child must first have a formal diagnosis. This is not always the case.
Depending on the service, families may be able to speak with an allied-health professional about a particular area of concern without their child having a diagnosis.
Support can often focus on the child's individual strengths, needs and everyday challenges rather than being dependent on a diagnostic label.
What kinds of concerns can families ask about?
Families may seek advice when they notice differences or difficulties in areas such as:
Where can parents start?
If you have concerns about your child's development, there are several places you may be able to start.
Your GP or child and family health professional can be a useful first point of contact, particularly when you are unsure whether further assessment is needed.
Families may also seek advice from appropriately qualified allied-health professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists or psychologists depending on the area of concern.
Kindergarten educators and teachers can also provide useful information about how a child participates, communicates and manages routines in another environment.
What should I write down before an appointment?
You don't need to arrive with a complete explanation of what's happening. It can simply help to bring examples of what you have noticed.
You might make notes about:
- What your child does well
- Activities your child finds difficult
- When you first noticed your concerns
- Situations where difficulties are most noticeable
- Strategies you have already tried
- Feedback you have received from kindergarten, school or other carers
- Questions you would like to ask
What if we're waiting for an assessment?
Families can sometimes experience lengthy waits for paediatric, developmental or diagnostic assessments.
Depending on your child's circumstances, it may still be possible to seek support for specific functional or developmental needs while waiting.
For example, a child experiencing communication difficulties may be able to see a speech pathologist, while a child experiencing challenges with everyday activities may benefit from occupational therapy.
The appropriate approach will depend on the individual child, so families should discuss their circumstances with the relevant qualified professional.
What about the NDIS?
NDIS access requirements depend on a person's age, circumstances and the applicable eligibility criteria.
A diagnosis is not the only information considered in every NDIS pathway. Evidence about a child's development, functional capacity and support needs may also be relevant.
Because NDIS requirements can change, families should check current information directly with the NDIS when considering access or funding.
Support doesn't have to begin with a label
Understanding why a child is experiencing difficulties can be important, and assessment may form part of that process. But families do not necessarily need to wait until every question has been answered before seeking professional advice.
Early conversations can help families better understand their child's development, identify useful strategies and decide whether further assessment or support may be appropriate.
How Spriggle Kids can help
Spriggle Kids supports families across the Mornington Peninsula who are trying to understand their child's development and determine what support may be appropriate.
If you're unsure where to begin, you can talk with us about the areas you're concerned about and the services available through Spriggle Kids.
Important information
This guide provides general information only and is not a diagnostic tool or substitute for individual medical, developmental, therapeutic or NDIS advice. If you have concerns about your child's health or development, speak with an appropriately qualified health professional.