Neurological Developmental Assessment

The chiropractors at Mt Eliza Family Chiropractic have completed post-graduate studies surrounding paediatric neurological assessment and management. Our Neurological Developmental Screening Tests are used to determine which parts of a child’s brain are functioning at the expected level for their age and/or which parts of the child’s brain are not functioning at the expected level. The results will provide us with insight as to whether your child may benefit from treatment and if so what type of treatment would be best suited. A combination of treatment modalities is usually recommended for optimal results. This also may include referrals to other health practitioners.

All initial Spinal and Neurological examinations of children are complimentary at our clinic.

Our child examinations include a neurological developmental screening which includes the following tests:

• Gross motor development
• Sensory exam
• Cerebellar exam
• Neuromaturation
• Cranial and Neurological Examination
• Retained primitive reflexes

Primitive reflexes appear at birth or soon after. They are vital in a baby’s neurological development. They should naturally disappear on their own in the first 12 months of a child’s life. If the brain ‘holds on’ to these reflexes it can interfere with the brain’s natural developmental progression. This can also inhibit important pathways between two or more parts of the brain from forming. These pathways are especially important for comprehensive learning.

Following is a list of signs and symptoms that may indicate your child may benefit from a neurological developmental screening test.

• Difficulty reading, writing or spelling.
• Commonly misplace or reverse letters or numbers in a word.
• Poor hand writing and/or noticeable difficulty with fine motor skills (ie. picking up pins or pebbles and putting them into a cup).
• Difficulty forming sentences.
• Difficulty with basic maths.
• Speech difficulties and poor balance and/or messy eaters
• Exceptionally clumsy child – poor motor coordination and hand-eye movements.
• Delayed expressive language – commonly shortening words or making up words.
• Difficulty understanding spoken commands and being able to execute them (unable to remember 3 basic tasks).
• Difficulty transferring written work from the white-board onto their own workbook.
• Visual or auditory difficulties.
• Sudden change in behaviour at school.
• Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Aspergers, Rett’s, Childhood Disintegrative disorder.
• Diagnosis of Autism.
• Poor social interaction for their age.
• Delayed verbal communication skills
• Diagnosis of ADD or ADHD.
• Hyperactivity
• Recurrent inattention.

If you feel your child may benefit from a neurological developmental assessment please call our practice and book in a complimentary spinal and neurological exam for your child. (03 97876999)