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Is it worth travelling to a city for a developmental assessment?
A single well-conducted developmental assessment is often worth one planned trip, because an accurate baseline shapes everything that follows. But travel is no longer the only path — tele-assessment can begin the process from home, and early support can continue locally once a plan exists. The real risk isn't the journey; it's letting months pass without any qualified look.
Read the answer AnswerIs Late Talking a Normal Part of Child Development?
Late talking can be a normal variation — many "late bloomers" catch up — but it can also signal a need for early, playful speech support, and a simple developmental check is the only way to tell which. Early help works beautifully when needed. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs Limited Eye Contact a Normal Part of Child Development?
Brief or limited eye contact is a normal part of child development and varies with age, temperament and situation — babies and toddlers naturally look away to rest, focus or explore. What matters is the overall pattern of connection over time, not any single glance. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs Lining Up Toys a Normal Part of Child Development?
Lining up toys is very often a normal, healthy part of play — children sort and arrange objects to explore order, patterns and early categorising. On its own it is not a concern; what matters is the whole picture of how a child plays, communicates and connects. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs Low Frustration Tolerance a Normal Part of Child Development?
Low frustration tolerance is a normal part of early child development, because the brain systems for managing strong feelings and waiting mature slowly through the toddler and preschool years. Most children build patience with calm, consistent guidance. A closer look helps only when reactions are far bigger, longer or more frequent than peers, or stop everyday play and learning. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs ADHD Medication Safe for My Child?
ADHD medication, when prescribed and monitored by a qualified doctor, is among the most-studied treatments in child health and is safe and helpful for many children — never used alone, but alongside behavioural therapy, parent guidance and school support. For younger children, behavioural approaches come first. Any medication decision belongs with your child's doctor; a clinical AbilityScore® and diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle centre.
Read the answer AnswerIs medication for autism safe for my child?
There is no medicine that treats autism itself. Medication may sometimes help specific co-occurring difficulties — like severe anxiety, sleep loss or unsafe behaviours — when a qualified doctor judges it appropriate, at the lowest effective dose with regular review. It supports therapy, never replaces it, and any decision is individual and doctor-led.
Read the answer AnswerIs medication for childhood anxiety safe for my child?
For childhood anxiety, therapy — especially CBT — is usually the first step. When medication is needed, the options most studied (SSRIs) are considered reasonably safe and effective only when prescribed and closely monitored by a qualified doctor, and paired with therapy. It is never a decision to start or stop alone.
Read the answer AnswerIs medication for childhood epilepsy safe for my child?
For most children, anti-seizure medication is safe and effective when prescribed and monitored by a paediatric neurologist. Good seizure control protects the developing brain; the right drug, dose and regular review minimise risks. Medication decisions always rest with the doctor — Pinnacle works alongside the medical team to support development.
Read the answer AnswerIs medication for childhood sleep difficulties safe for my child?
There is no medicine routinely recommended as a first choice for ordinary childhood sleep difficulties. Behavioural and routine-based approaches work for most children and carry no medication risks. Any medication, including melatonin, should only be considered after assessment and on a doctor's advice — never self-prescribed.
Read the answer AnswerIs Medication Safe for Conduct-Dissocial Disorder?
Medication is not first-line for Conduct-Dissocial Disorder — structured behavioural and family therapy come first. When used, medicine targets co-occurring issues like ADHD or severe aggression, only under a specialist who monitors closely, and always alongside therapy. Used that way it can be safe and helpful.
Read the answer AnswerIs medication for Oppositional Defiant Disorder safe for my child?
There is no medication that treats Oppositional Defiant Disorder itself; the first-line approach is behavioural and parent-management support. Medication is considered cautiously, by a qualified doctor, only when a co-occurring condition like ADHD or anxiety is present, and always alongside therapy. Any medicine has benefits and side-effects, so the decision is individual and reviewed regularly.
Read the answer AnswerIs Medication for Tourette Syndrome Safe for My Child?
Medication for Tourette Syndrome can be safe and effective, but it is not the first step. Behaviour-based therapies are often tried first; medication is reserved for tics that cause pain, distress or real interference, always prescribed and monitored by a paediatric neurologist or child psychiatrist at the lowest effective dose. Pinnacle never decides medication — we support the child and coordinate with your doctor.
Read the answer AnswerIs Meltdowns a normal part of child development?
Meltdowns are a normal part of early child development, most common between about 1 and 4 years, because a child's emotions outpace the still-developing brain regions that calm and control them. They usually ease as language and self-soothing grow. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs Mixing Up Languages a Normal Part of Child Development?
Mixing up languages, known as code-mixing, is a completely normal and healthy part of multilingual development — it reflects a flexible brain drawing from a shared word bank, does not cause speech delay, and settles as a child grows. A check is only worth it if total vocabulary across all languages lags behind peers. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 12-to-18-month-old moving and walking as expected?
Most children walk independently between 12 and 15 months, with the typical range reaching 18 months — so a 12-to-18-month-old who is cruising, standing or walking with support can be developing well. Look for steady progress through pulling to stand, cruising, standing alone and walking. Seek a gentle check if there is no walking by 18 months, loss of skills, or one-sided movement. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 12-to-18-month-old talking as expected for their age?
Between 12 and 18 months, most toddlers say their first few words, point, wave and understand more than they can say, with a wide normal range. Steady month-by-month growth and good back-and-forth connection matter most. Consider a check if by ~18 months there are no words or gestures, no response to their name, or lost skills. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer Answer18–24 Month Movement & Walking Milestones
Most 18-to-24-month-olds walk independently and are steadily adding skills like running, climbing, squatting and kicking a ball, with small differences in pace being completely normal. The key reassurance is whether movement is steadily building month on month. A check is worth it if a child is not walking by 18 months, walks only with help by 24 months, walks persistently on tiptoes, or loses a skill. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 18-to-24-month-old talking as expected for their age?
Between 18 and 24 months, children typically grow from around 10–20 words towards 50+ words and begin joining two words together by their second birthday, within a wide normal range. Understanding, pointing, gesturing and steadily adding new words matter more than any single number. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 2-year-old moving and walking as expected for their age?
Most 2-year-olds walk confidently and are beginning to run, climb low furniture, kick a ball and manage stairs with help — within a wide normal range. A gentle check is worth booking if your child is not walking at all, is very unsteady, walks only on tiptoes, favours one side, or loses skills. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs My 2-Year-Old Talking as Expected for Their Age?
Most 2-year-olds say around 50 or more words and begin joining two words together, while understanding much more than they can say. If your child has very few words, isn't combining words, or you feel something is different, a friendly developmental check is worthwhile. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 3-to-6-month-old moving and walking as expected?
A 3-to-6-month-old is not expected to walk — walking comes much later, often around the first birthday. At this age look instead for head control, rolling, reaching and pushing up during tummy time. These pre-walking skills are the milestones that matter now. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 3-to-6-month-old talking as expected for their age?
At 3 to 6 months, babies are not expected to say words — they coo, gurgle, smile socially, turn to voices and begin early babbling. These pre-talking skills are the normal foundation of speech, with real words due much later, around the first birthday. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs my 3-year-old moving and walking as expected for their age?
Most 3-year-olds can walk steadily, run, climb stairs with alternating feet, jump with both feet, kick a ball and pedal a tricycle — but children reach these milestones across a wide window, so small differences are usually normal. A quick developmental check gives peace of mind if your child falls very often, cannot jump or climb, seems unusually stiff or floppy, or has lost skills. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
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