Our psychologists provide assessments and intervention services for preschool-aged children.
We conduct assessments for diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, intellectual disability, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and make recommendations for intervention, educational placement, and transition to primary school.
We support parents to implement positive parenting strategies, teach children skills to better cope with their emotions (e.g., anxiety, anger) and aim to improve the emotional and relational well-being of the child and family.
For both assessments and intervention services, parents or caregivers must accompany their child for the appointments. If the child is in a preschool or childcare programme, our psychologist may also request for information from the child's teacher. Communication with adults who interact frequently with the child helps us to better understand the child from different perspectives.
Psychological Assessments
Our assessment appointments are usually 2 to 3 hours in duration. During the appointment, the psychologist will:
If the child is in a preschool or childcare programme, our psychologist may also request for information from the child's teacher.
Examples of assessments that we offer:
Autism diagnostic assessment. Autism can be reliably diagnosed in children from as early as 2-3 years old. Individuals with autism show differences in how they relate to others. They also have interests and behaviours that are restricted or repetitive. These differences affect how they learn and go about everyday activities as expected for their age. Individuals with autism have their unique strengths and potential for learning. Hence, early identification and intervention allow for good outcomes for these children. School readiness assessment. Some children with additional learning or behaviour needs benefit from a more supported schooling environment, or a customised curriculum, provided by government-funded special education (SPED) schools. As these children approach the compulsory school age of 7 years old, a school readiness assessment at around 5 to 6 years old is necessary to guide these school placement decisions. In a school readiness assessment, our psychologist will evaluate the child's cognitive ability (i.e., IQ) and their everyday living skills for independence and classroom learning. The results from the school readiness assessment will help parents make an informed decision about their child's schooling.
Autism diagnostic assessment. Autism can be reliably diagnosed in children from as early as 2-3 years old. Individuals with autism show differences in how they relate to others. They also have interests and behaviours that are restricted or repetitive. These differences affect how they learn and go about everyday activities as expected for their age.
Individuals with autism have their unique strengths and potential for learning. Hence, early identification and intervention allow for good outcomes for these children.
School readiness assessment. Some children with additional learning or behaviour needs benefit from a more supported schooling environment, or a customised curriculum, provided by government-funded special education (SPED) schools. As these children approach the compulsory school age of 7 years old, a school readiness assessment at around 5 to 6 years old is necessary to guide these school placement decisions.
In a school readiness assessment, our psychologist will evaluate the child's cognitive ability (i.e., IQ) and their everyday living skills for independence and classroom learning. The results from the school readiness assessment will help parents make an informed decision about their child's schooling.
Psychological Consult and Intervention
Our psychologists provide evidence-based interventions to preschool-aged children with developmental, emotional, and/or behavioural needs. We provide services for a range of concerns including:
What to expect in the sessions?
We place high emphasis on working with the child's family to facilitate the child's learning and development. Hence, parents or caregivers are actively involved during the intervention process.
The first consultation with a psychologist is a 1.5-hour session with the parent(s) and the child. During the appointment, the psychologist will:
After learning more about the child and family, the psychologist recommends an intervention plan for the child.
Interventions for emotional and behavioural difficulties usually require learning new skills and changing behaviour, which takes time. Hence, parents or caregivers may expect to be offered follow-up sessions once every 2-4 weeks, for up to 12 sessions, depending on the needs of the child and family.
The preschool period is an important time for children to learn emotional and behaviour regulation skills, that can have a long-term impact on their future learning and mental well-being.
To make an appointment with a DCD psychologist, you would first need to be seen by our DCD Developmental Paediatrician.
If you have concerns about your child's behaviour, social-emotional skills, learning or development, please reach out to your DCD Developmental Paediatrician or speak with your family doctor for a referral to DCD.
Resources
Understanding Anxiety(a) Generalised Anxiety Disorder(b) Phobias(c) Selective Mutism(d) Separation Anxiety Disorder(e) Social Anxiety Disorder
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