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Therapy & support
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Therapy & support
Is PECS right for Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
PECS can be a helpful bridge for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) but is rarely the only answer. CAS is a motor-planning difficulty, so most children do best with a blended plan where a picture or symbol system reduces frustration alongside intensive motor-speech therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS Right for a Child with Global Developmental Delay?
PECS can be an excellent communication tool for many children with Global Developmental Delay, giving a pre-verbal child a functional way to request and comment — but it is one option within a broader plan, not automatically right for every child. Suitability depends on the child's understanding, motivation and motor skills, and is best decided through a clinician-led trial. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS the right therapy for a non-verbal or minimally verbal child?
PECS can suit many non-verbal or minimally verbal children because it teaches the intent to communicate through a low-pressure picture exchange, and it often supports rather than replaces emerging speech. Whether it is right for your child is decided by a speech and language assessment, not chosen in advance — it is one strong option alongside other AAC routes. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS the Right Therapy for Speech and Language Delay?
PECS can be an excellent support for some children with speech and language delay — especially those who want to communicate but have few spoken words — but it is not automatically right for every child. It is a bridge to communication that does not hinder speech and often encourages it. Whether it suits your child depends on their individual profile, which a speech and language therapist assesses with you. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs PECS Usually One-on-One or in a Group?
PECS usually begins one-on-one, where two supporting adults help a child learn the very first picture exchange, then expands into group and everyday settings so communication generalises to many people and places. The answer is both, in sequence — individual teaching builds the skill and natural, social practice makes it real. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs the TEACCH Approach the Right Therapy for Autism?
The TEACCH approach is an evidence-informed, structured-teaching method that helps many autistic children through visual schedules, predictable routines and strengths-based learning — but no single therapy is automatically right for every child. The best plan is individualised and often blends TEACCH with speech, occupational and other supports. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs TEACCH right for a child with Intellectual Disability?
The TEACCH approach — built on structure, visual supports and predictable routines — can genuinely help many children with Intellectual Disability who learn best through visual cues and consistency, but it is rarely the whole answer. The right plan usually blends structured-teaching ideas with speech and occupational therapy tailored to a child's profile. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs the TEACCH approach usually one-on-one or in a group?
The TEACCH approach is used both one-on-one and in groups. Structured teaching often begins one-to-one to introduce skills in a calm, predictable setting, then moves into small-group and classroom settings to build independence and social participation. The balance is tailored to each child. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there a special diet that helps a child with ADHD?
There is no special diet that treats or cures ADHD, but balanced family nutrition — regular meals, enough protein, iron and omega-3 rich foods, and limiting sugary, ultra-processed snacks — supports focus, sleep and mood. Restrictive or elimination diets should only be tried under medical supervision, and good nutrition is one supportive piece alongside behavioural support, not a replacement. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there a special diet that helps a child with Autism Spectrum?
There is no special diet that treats or cures autism, and restrictive diets such as gluten-free/casein-free are not supported by evidence and can risk nutrition gaps. Balanced nutrition matters, and diagnosed allergies, reflux or constipation should be treated medically. Narrow eating is usually a sensory/feeding issue best helped by gentle feeding therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs There a Special Diet for Childhood Epilepsy?
For some children with epilepsy, a medically supervised ketogenic diet or its variants can reduce seizures, especially when medicines have not fully worked. It is a prescribed treatment started and monitored by a paediatric neurologist and dietitian, not a home diet. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there a special diet for Feeding & Eating Difficulties?
There is no single special diet that fixes feeding and eating difficulties for most children; calm, pressure-free mealtimes and skill-building feeding therapy matter far more. Targeted diets are used only when a paediatrician or dietitian identifies a medical reason such as allergy or reflux. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there a special diet for Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity?
There is no single special diet that resolves Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity, and restrictive elimination diets are not recommended. What helps is gentle, low-pressure feeding therapy that respects your child's sensory responses to texture, smell and taste, builds from trusted foods, and works alongside paediatric and dietitian care to protect nutrition. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there government support for children with developmental needs in India?
Yes — India supports children with developmental needs through the RPwD Act 2016, UDID disability certification, inclusive-education rights, RBSK early-intervention screening, National Trust schemes and disability welfare benefits. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there medication for a child with ADHD?
Yes, medicines can help children with ADHD, but they are one tool among several and are prescribed only by a paediatrician or child psychiatrist after proper assessment. For younger children, behavioural and skills-based therapy comes first; for school-age children medication often works best alongside therapy and school support. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerMedication for Childhood Anxiety
Yes, medication exists for childhood anxiety, but it is rarely the first step. Talking therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy, is recommended first, and medication such as SSRIs is only considered by a doctor for moderate-to-severe, persistent anxiety, usually alongside therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerMedication for Childhood Epilepsy
Yes — childhood epilepsy is treated mainly with anti-seizure medicines prescribed by a paediatric neurologist, and most children gain good seizure control. Epilepsy is a medical condition needing a doctor's care first; developmental therapy supports any learning, speech or motor needs alongside medication. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there medication for a child with sleep difficulties?
There is no everyday sleep medicine for children — sleep difficulties are best supported first through consistent routines, a calming wind-down and addressing the underlying cause. Any medicine, including melatonin, is used only in specific situations, short-term, and only when prescribed and supervised by a paediatrician. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there medication for a child with Conduct-Dissocial Disorder?
There is no medication that treats Conduct-Dissocial Disorder itself; the foundation is evidence-based parent and behavioural therapy. Medication is used only, and carefully, to manage co-occurring conditions like ADHD or severe irritability, decided by a paediatrician or child psychiatrist alongside therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there medication for a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
There is no medication that treats Oppositional Defiant Disorder itself — the evidence-based first-line support is behavioural: parent-management training and child therapy. Medication is considered only for a co-occurring condition such as ADHD, anxiety or low mood, prescribed by a paediatrician or child psychiatrist alongside therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there medication for a child with Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Medication exists for Separation Anxiety Disorder but is rarely the first step for children. Therapy, especially CBT, is the evidence-based first-line support, with parent coaching and school plans. An SSRI may be considered by a doctor only for severe or persistent anxiety, always alongside therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there medication for a child with Stereotyped Movement Disorder?
Stereotyped Movement Disorder is usually supported with behavioural and therapy-led strategies first, not medication. Medicines are considered only in specific situations — typically self-injury or significant distress — and always alongside therapy under a doctor's care. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs there medication for a child with Tourette Syndrome?
Yes, medication exists for Tourette Syndrome in children, but it is rarely the first step. Behavioural therapy such as CBIT is often tried first, and medicine is considered only when tics cause real distress or disruption — always decided and monitored by a paediatric neurologist. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerAmber Zone for Achievement & Growth — What to Do Next
An amber zone for Achievement & Growth is an early signal to look closer, not a diagnosis. The best next step is a clinician-led structured assessment to understand which skills need support, alongside gentle play-based practice at home. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
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