Supporting Child Development Concerns in General Practice

Supporting Child Development Concerns in General Practice

09 Jun 2026

Supporting Child Development Concerns in General Practice

Source: Practice Pulse, South Western Sydney, 10 June 2026

Concerns raised by childcare centres and preschools can be a helpful addition to developmental assessments in general practice.

Information from educators can provide useful insight into how a child is functioning in different environments. This may include communication skills, play behaviour, interaction with peers, emotional control, feeding, toileting, and motor development. Written reports or observations from educators can help identify consistent patterns that may need further review.

With consent, GPs may also contact early childhood services directly to clarify concerns and gather more detail.

Early checks of hearing and vision are often recommended when there are concerns about speech, behaviour, or attention, as these factors can influence development.

If concerns continue, timely referral to specialists such as paediatricians, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, or early childhood support services like Thriving Kids or the NDIS early childhood pathway can help families access appropriate support sooner.

A range of resources can assist clinicians, including developmental screening tools and local child and family health services.

This information was published in Practice Pulse on 10 June 2026 for healthcare professionals in South Western Sydney.

Supporting Child Development Concerns in General Practice
 
 
 
 

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