Lesson 1Red flags for referral: absent babbling/words, lack of social smile, poor eye contact, motor delays, loss of skills — what they mean clinicallyThis section lists key developmental red flags in babies and toddlers, like social, language, and motor issues. It explains their meaning, urgency, and spotting real problems.
Early social and communication red flagsLanguage delay and absent babbling or wordsMotor delay, asymmetry, and abnormal toneRegression and loss of previously gained skillsWhen red flags require urgent referralDocumenting and tracking concerning signsLesson 2Differential diagnosis and common causes of developmental delay: prematurity, genetic conditions, hearing loss, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, environmental factorsThis section reviews main causes of developmental delay in early childhood, like early birth, genetic issues, hearing loss, cerebral palsy, autism, sensory problems, and surroundings, with a practical diagnosis approach.
Impact of prematurity and perinatal eventsRecognizing patterns of genetic syndromesCerebral palsy: early signs and subtypesAutism spectrum features under age threeHearing and vision loss as contributorsEnvironmental and psychosocial risk factorsLesson 3Normal neuropsychomotor milestone timeline to 36 months: motor, language, social, cognitive benchmarksThis section reviews normal motor, language, social, and thinking milestones from birth to 36 months, noting age ranges, normal variation, and when to watch closer.
Motor milestones from birth to three yearsLanguage and communication progressionSocial-emotional development trajectoryEarly cognitive and play skill milestonesRecognizing normal variation in timingUsing milestone charts during visitsLesson 4Communicating developmental concerns to families: plain-language explanations, culturally sensitive counselling, setting expectationsThis section gives strategies for sharing developmental worries with families using simple words, cultural respect, and joint decisions, while handling feelings, stigma, and real hopes for progress.
Preparing for difficult developmental conversationsUsing plain, non-stigmatizing languageCulturally responsive counseling approachesAddressing parental emotions and guiltDiscussing prognosis and goal settingProviding written summaries and resourcesLesson 5Screening tools and structured developmental surveillance: Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), M-CHAT, Denver II — administration and interpretationThis section explains selecting, using, scoring, and reading common developmental screens under age three, like ASQ, M-CHAT, and Denver II, and fitting them into routine paediatric visits.
Choosing age-appropriate screening instrumentsAdministering and scoring the ASQUsing and interpreting the M-CHATApplying the Denver II in busy clinicsCommunicating screening results to familiesIntegrating surveillance into well-child visitsLesson 6Monitoring, milestone tracking, scheduling follow-ups, and coordinating multidisciplinary careThis section focuses on ongoing follow-up for at-risk children, with milestone tracking, standard tools, visit spacing, team coordination, and linking medical and community services.
Using milestone checklists and tracking toolsDetermining follow-up intervals by risk levelCoordinating multidisciplinary care plansSharing information across care settingsAdjusting goals as the child developsSupporting family engagement over timeLesson 7Referral pathways: when to refer to early intervention, developmental pediatrician, pediatric neurology, physiotherapy, speech therapy, audiology, and occupational therapyThis section outlines clear referral points and paths from primary care to early intervention, developmental paediatrics, neurology, and therapies, stressing quick access, records, and follow-up.
Criteria for early intervention referralWhen to refer to developmental pediatricsIndications for pediatric neurology referralReferral to PT, OT, and speech therapyAudiology and vision specialist pathwaysTracking outcomes of specialist referralsLesson 8Clinic workflows for developmental surveillance: documentation templates, screening schedules, referral tracking, and community resourcesThis section shows how to set up efficient clinic flows for developmental checks, with standard notes, screening times, referral tracking, and links to early help and community family supports.
Standardized developmental documentationAge-based screening and surveillance schedulesEmbedding tools into electronic recordsReferral tracking and feedback loopsLinking families to community resourcesQuality improvement for surveillance processesLesson 9Initial evaluation and targeted investigations: hearing and vision screening, growth/nutrition assessment, basic labs, neuroimaging indications, genetic testing triggersThis section covers initial checks for a child with suspected delay, including history, exam, hearing and vision screens, growth and nutrition review, and when to do labs, scans, or genetic tests in primary care.
Key elements of developmental historyFocused neurologic and physical examinationHearing and vision screening in young childrenGrowth, nutrition, and feeding assessmentIndications for basic laboratory testingWhen to order imaging or genetic studiesLesson 10Early intervention principles and evidence-based therapies: parent-mediated interventions, physical therapy goals, speech-language interventionsThis section reviews core early intervention principles, stressing brain flexibility, goal setting, and family care. It covers parent-led strategies, physio aims, and speech-language methods for babies and toddlers.
Neuroplasticity and timing of interventionFamily-centered and strengths-based careDesigning functional, measurable therapy goalsParent-mediated interaction and play coachingEarly motor therapy aims and methodsEarly communication and language strategies
