The Happy Child Clinic

Key Areas of Development Assessed:

Gross Motor Skills:Large muscle movements such as crawling, walking, running, and jumping. Example milestones:
6 months: Sitting without support.

12 months: Walking with or without assistance.

18 months: Running with or without assistance.
2. Fine Motor Skills: Small muscle movements involving hands and fingers, such as grasping, drawing, and manipulating objects. Example milestones:
9 months: Pincer grasp (picking up small objects).

2 years: Scribbling with a crayon.

4 years: Copying shapes like circles or squares.
3. Speech and Language Development: Ability to understand and use language, including verbal and non-verbal communication. Example milestones:
12 months: Saying single words like "mama" or "dada."

2 years: Combining two words into simple sentences.

5 years: Using complex sentences and understanding storytelling.
4. Cognitive Development: Problem-solving, memory, reasoning, and learning abilities. Example milestones:
6 months: Exploring objects by mouthing or banging.

18 months: Recognizing and naming objects.

3 years: Engaging in pretend play and understanding basic concepts like colors.
5. Social and Emotional Development: Interaction with others, emotional regulation, and empathy. Example milestones:
9 months: Showing stranger anxiety.

2 years: Engaging in parallel play (playing next to, but not with, other children).

4 years: Cooperative play and understanding turn-taking.

Identify Developmental Delays: Detect early signs of conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, or speech delays.
Monitor Growth and Progress: Ensure children are meeting age-appropriate milestones.
Guide Early Intervention: Provide targeted support through therapies and specialized programs.
Support Parental Guidance: Offer advice on activities and strategies to foster development.

1. Developmental Screening Tools:
(a) Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): Parent-completed questionnaire covering multiple developmental areas.

(b) Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST): Assesses personal-social, fine motor, gross motor, and language skills.

(c) M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers): Screens for autism symptoms.
Observational Assessments: Direct observation of the child in various settings to assess behavior, interactions, and skills.
3. Standardized Testing: Formal tests conducted by specialists like pediatric neurologists, psychologists, or speech therapists.

Motor Delays: Difficulty with crawling, walking, or grasping objects.
Speech Delays: Limited vocabulary, difficulty forming sentences, or not responding to their name.
Social/Emotional Issues: Lack of eye contact, difficulty interacting with peers, or excessive tantrums.
Cognitive Delays: Trouble following simple instructions or solving basic problems.

Early Detection: Timely identification of developmental issues can lead to better long-term outcomes.
Targeted Interventions: Access to therapies like speech, occupational, or physical therapy.
Social/Emotional Issues: Lack of eye contact, difficulty interacting with peers, or excessive tantrums.
Parental Support: Guidance on how to support the child’s developmental needs at home.