Child Developmental Assessment Service

Referrals accepted from:

Private and public paediatricians
Paediatric neurologists
Allied health (from within SWSLHD) (eg speech pathologist, occupational therapist, psychologist)

Refer by sending completed referral form to:

Faxed to (02) 8738 4800

Emailed to SWSLHD-ComPaedDevAssess@health.nsw.gov.au

Eligible
- Children with suspected developmental delay and/or ASD.
- Children aged 12 months to school entry
- Children should be referred to therapeutic services appropriate to their needs (e.g. Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy etc) prior to their assessment.
  - Reports must be provided by families (if attending private services) or accessed through eMR (if accessing SWSLHD services) prior to triage.
Not Eligible
- Likely or suspected ADHD (without developmental delay) – redirect referral to a paediatrician experienced in ADHD management

Eligible
- Children with suspected developmental delay and/or ASD
- Children who have commenced school, up to age 7.
- Children between 7 and 16 may be seen on a case-by-case basis. This may include children with complex/subtle symptoms, who have not been identified earlier. Consideration should also be given as to whether they are eligible to access other services, such as Headspace (eligible at age 12), and whether these may be more appropriate for adolescents who are in the process of transitioning to adult services.
- Children should be referred to therapeutic services appropriate to their needs (e.g. Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy etc) prior to their assessment through CDAS.
- Children should have received an assessment by their school counsellor and a language assessment prior to referral. Reports are to be provided prior to triage.
Not Eligible
- Likely or suspected ADHD (without developmental delay) – redirect referral to a paediatrician experienced in ADHD management
- "Pure" learning difficulties – redirect referral to school counsellor or private psychologist
- Require psychometric assessment only – redirect referral to school counsellor or private psychologist
- Children with mental health concerns other than ASD – redirect referral to ICAMHS