Does your child have a developmental delay or learning disability?

Every child develops at their own pace, but if major milestones aren’t being met during predictable time periods, or if unusual behaviour patterns have emerged, then we will try to identify if a more significant developmental delay or learning disability is present. If you’ve become concerned about your child’s learning ability, or if your child’s teacher has indicated a problem, lack of attention or hyperactivity, then a psychological assessment may be the first step to identify the source of the problem.  The following is a brief list of common developmental and learning disorders:

• Global Developmental Delay: can be identified by setbacks in at least two key areas of your child’s development; developmental milestones typically fall into the following categories: Cognitive, Social and Emotional, Speech and Language, Fine Motor Skills and Gross Motor Skills
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs): are very complex developmental disabilities that are characterized by difficulties with social communication and social interaction.
• Learning disabilities: are not problems with intelligence and your child cannot simply try harder. We need to recognize that a learning disability will cause a child or youth’s brain to process information differently than you and I.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): is marked by short attention span, a high degree of distractibility, impulsiveness (not thinking before acting), fidgeting and constant movement.