Child Psychology and Psychiatry

461
, 908–15.
30

---

Section 1b
General Patterns
of Development

---

Clinical evaluation of development from birth to five years
6
Clinical Evaluation of Development from
Birth to Five Years
Ajay Sharma
1
and Tony O’Sullivan
2
1
Sunshine House, Southwark Centre for Children and Young People, London, UK
2
Kaleidoscope - Lewisham Centre for Children & Young People, London, UK
INTRODUCTION
Clinical evaluation of children with behavioural
concerns requires considering their physical,
emotional, behavioural and social development,
alongside
relevant
environmental
influences.
Differential diagnosis includes the possibility
of organic and developmental disorders with
behavioural phenotypes, where developmental
markers aid identification. A working knowledge
of typical developmental milestones and ‘red flag
alerts’ to possible developmental delay is essential.
Required competencies include eliciting parental
concerns, taking a relevant developmental history,
observing
and
assessing
child
development,
undertaking relevant physical examinations, and
planning investigations and access to local services
where further assessment or intervention is
required.