Developmental assessments

Developmental assessments

New birth visit

When your baby is between 10-14 days the health visitor will come to see you at home.

The purpose of this visit is to

• check your and your baby’s health and well-being
• explore how becoming a parent is going for you and your family
• support you in continuing to get your baby’s feeding off to a good start
• discuss with you important health promotion information, such as safe sleeping,  immunisations and keeping your baby safe from the effects of smoke and pollution
• answer any questions you may have about parenthood and your baby’s development

6-8 weeks

The health visitor will see you at home, at the child health clinic or children’s centre.

During this contact the health visitor will continue to focus on your transition to parenthood and how you and your new baby are adapting to this new season of your family’s life.

This will include assessing your baby’s growth and development, and checking how feeding and sleeping patterns might be developing.

At this visit we are really interested in how you are feeling, particularly your emotional and mental health. We will ask you complete a questionnaire, which helps us to identify mums who may be feeling low or have postnatal depression.

As well as this check, the health visitors will also provide details about your local community and what services are available for you and your family.

8-10 months review

This review will mainly focus on your baby’s growth and development and can take place in a health centre or children’s centre. The health visitor will meet with you and your baby to discuss their developmental milestones. We will also check-in on your emotional health again.

Other topics will include:

• your baby’s weight and length to ensure he or she is growing well
• how feeding is going and the introduction of family foods and use of a beaker
• dental health
• reviewing if your baby has had his/her early immunisations
• reviewing if your baby is using his/her hands/fingers to grip (fine motor skills)
• reviewing if he or she is beginning to move, roll, sit or crawl (gross motor skills)
• hearing and vision (squint)
• your baby’s communication, e.g. smiling, babbling looking towards you
• sleep routines
• crying
• home safety

27 month review

The aim of this review is to check learning readiness as this check happens at a key time when specific behaviour, speech and language problems may become evident in children. It supports early planning as the health visitor can link up with other services to ensure processes are in place to support the child and family for preparing for school. This review will normally take place at nursery or the health centre.

As part of this review the Early Language Identification Measure (ELIM) and intervention tool will be used to access your child’s speech, language and communication. This assessment is a National Programme that comprises a word list and observation of your child’s communication during the review.

During the review, the practitioner will have a conversation with you regarding the results of the assessment and encourage you to make informed decisions for your child. It is important to note that children are not expected to use all the words on the ELIM tool list, and commonly used words may not be included. Additionally, it does not matter what language your child uses for different words.

The main topics discussed will include:

• your child’s weight and height to ensure they are growing well
• diet including discussion around fussy eating and use of vitamins to support their growth and development
• dental health
• immunisations
• reviewing if your child is using his/her hands, e.g. building a tower of small bricks, helping to dress/undress (fine motor skill)
• reviewing if he or she is able to walk and jump confidently (gross motor skills)
• hearing and vision (does your child see things around him/her close by or in the distance, can they hear you and do they respond when called)
• reviewing if your child is communicating clearly, including talking (linking words into 2-3 word sentences) and understanding (can they follow simple instructions, e.g. can you get your shoes?)
• sleep routines
• potty training
• behaviour
• play and learning opportunities

If any concerns are identified during the review the health visitor will discuss with you the necessary support or follow up actions to support your child. This will help to ensure your child can receive the support he/she may require to remain happy, healthy and ready to learn.

Useful links to support child’s speech, language, and communication skills:

• Tiny Happy People
• Hungry Little Minds
• I CAN 
• The Communication Trust
• Learning to Talk Parent-Facing Interactive Tool (PDF format available to download from E-Learning for Health)
• Start4Life Learning to Talk

Feedback from our patients