Seeking assistance for your child’s developmental concerns can feel daunting. This page explains the process so that you know what to expect from the consultation.
As a parent or caregiver you are welcome to secure an appointment directly without a referral.
Children may be referred by:
Once an enquiry or referral has been received, our secretary, Mrs Marlien Botha, will contact you to arrange the appointment.
Parents and teachers will be required to complete and submit a detailed questionnaire outlining their concerns and observations about their child’s development.
Any previous reports from healthcare professionals, test results or relevant information should be shared in advance so that they can be reviewed before the consultation.
The first consultation typically lasts approximately 90 minutes.
During this session Dr Sonia da Silva will:
The aim of this session is to gather a full understanding of your child’s development and begin forming a clear clinical impression.
You are not expected to arrive with answers or conclusions – the consultation is designed to explore and understand the situation carefully.
A second session usually takes place 4–5 working days later and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Families leave with a clear understanding of the findings and practical next steps.
Supporting a child often involves more than one environment.
With your consent, Dr da Silva may communicate with:
This ensures that everyone involved in supporting your child has a shared understanding of their needs.
Follow-up consultations are usually scheduled approximately six months after the initial assessment and feedback consultation.
These appointments allow progress to be reviewed, support plans and medications to be considered and adjusted and any additional developmental concerns to be addressed.
It is completely natural to feel uncertain when you begin to have questions about your child’s development.
Many families come simply seeking clarity and reassurance.
The purpose of assessment is to understand your child’s development carefully and to provide thoughtful guidance on how best to support them moving forward.
