A developmental assessment is a comprehensive, diagnostic evaluation of a young child’s overall development. It is designed to understand how a baby or young child is developing across key areas, including thinking and learning, communication, motor skills, social interaction, emotional development, and everyday functioning. Developmental assessments are most commonly completed for babies and young children from infancy up to five years of age.

Who conducts a developmental assessment?

At The Daisy Clinic, developmental assessments are conducted only by clinicians with additional training and expertise in child development and mental health assessment.

While The Daisy Clinic is home to a multidisciplinary team, not all clinicians have the qualifications or experience required to complete developmental assessments. Developmental assessments are undertaken exclusively by specially trained psychologists or paediatricians with advanced skills in:

• Early childhood development
• Standardised developmental assessment tools
• Diagnostic assessment and formulation in young children

Families are always matched with a clinician who has the appropriate training, experience, and scope of practice for this specialised assessment work.

Who are developmental assessments for?

Developmental assessments are recommended when there are concerns across multiple areas of a baby or young child’s development. These assessments are most appropriate where delays or differences are observed in more than one developmental domain, rather than a single isolated area. Common reasons a full developmental assessment may be recommended include concerns across combinations of:

• Thinking, learning, or problem-solving
• Communication or language development
• Social engagement or interaction
• Play skills
• Motor development (fine and/or gross motor)
• Emotional or behavioural regulation

When multiple areas of development are impacted, a comprehensive developmental assessment allows clinicians to understand the child’s overall developmental profile and how different areas of development interact.

What assessments are used?

The specific assessment tool used depends on the child’s age, developmental level, and presenting concerns. Commonly used developmental measures include:

• Griffiths III Developmental Scales
• Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development
• Mullen Scales of Early Learning

The most appropriate assessment is determined by the clinician following an initial discussion with parents or caregivers.

Is this a diagnostic assessment?

Yes. A developmental assessment is a diagnostic assessment that supports both diagnosis and differential diagnosis in young children. Developmental assessments are commonly used to inform diagnoses such as:

• Global Developmental Delay
• Autism Spectrum Disorder, where appropriate

In addition, a developmental assessment may help clarify a child’s developmental profile and inform consideration of other neurodevelopmental or developmental conditions, particularly where presentations overlap or are still emerging. This may include:

• Intellectual Developmental Disorder
• Language or communication disorders
• Social communication difficulties
• Early attentional or regulatory differences
• Motor coordination difficulties
• The impact of medical, environmental, or psychosocial factors on development

In early childhood, development is dynamic and evolving. Developmental assessments therefore focus on understanding the whole child, identifying strengths and needs across domains, and guiding early intervention, even where a formal diagnosis may not yet be appropriate. Diagnostic decisions are based on a combination of assessment results, clinical observations, caregiver information, and professional judgement.

What is involved and what does it cost?

Developmental assessments at The Daisy Clinic follow a staged and transparent process, allowing families to understand findings and costs at each step and to pause the process if needed.

Step 1: Parent Interview

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Cost: $349.49

A detailed interview with a parent or caregiver to gather developmental, medical, family, and psychosocial history, and to clarify current concerns. A detailed interview with a parent or caregiver to gather developmental, medical, family, and psychosocial history, and to clarify current concerns.

Step 2: Developmental Assessment Administration

• Duration: Allow up to 2 hours
• Cost: $698.97

Face-to-face administration of the selected developmental assessment (e.g. BAYLEYS, GRIFFITHS, MULLENS) with the child. While up to two hours may be allocated, the length of this session is highly dependent on the child’s motivation, engagement, and participation on the day. Breaks and flexibility are built in to support the child and obtain the most accurate representation of their development.

Step 3: Adaptive Functioning Questionnaire

• Cost: $116.50

An adaptive functioning questionnaire is used to understand how the child functions in everyday settings, such as home and early learning environments. The specific measure selected depends on the child’s age, presenting concerns, and referral questions. Depending on clinical need, this may include tools such as the ABAS, VABS, Developmental Profile, Ages and Stages DASH, or other appropriate measures. This questionnaire provides important information about how the child functions in everyday life and supports diagnostic decision-making.

Step 4: Brief Summary Report (required)

• Cost: $465.98

At the conclusion of the assessment process, families receive a brief written summary report. This report:

• Summarises key assessment findings
• Outlines diagnostic considerations
• Provides clear, practical recommendations and next steps
• Can be shared with GPs, paediatricians, early childhood services, and other professionals

This ensures families receive a meaningful clinical outcome, even if they choose not to proceed further.

Typical total cost

Based on the components outlined above, the typical overall cost for a developmental assessment is $1,630.94. This reflects the most common assessment pathway. The overall cost may vary if changes to the assessment administration process are clinically required. Families will always be clearly informed and provided with updated costings before any changes occur.

In some circumstances, a referral from a paediatrician may entitle families to a Medicare rebate for part of the cognitive assessment process. Eligibility depends on the type of referral and the assessment components required. Our team will discuss Medicare rebate eligibility with families prior to assessment and provide clear information about any applicable rebates and out-of-pocket costs.