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Book Assessment
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Therapy & support
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Therapy & support
I've just realised my child needs help — where do I start?
If you've just realised your child may need help, start by noting what you've observed — including strengths — and arrange a clinician-administered structured developmental assessment. You don't need a diagnosis or referral first; the first visit gives clarity and a plan, not a label. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs a casein-free diet helpful for my child?
A casein-free diet is not a proven treatment for autism, ADHD or developmental delay — high-quality reviews show no consistent benefit, and removing dairy can reduce calcium and protein. It may help only children with a confirmed milk allergy or intolerance, and any food group should be removed under a paediatrician or dietitian. Diet supports but never replaces evidence-based therapy.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention suitable for babies?
Early intervention is not only suitable for babies, it is most effective when it begins early, because a baby's brain forms connections fastest in the first years of life. Support is gentle, joyful and parent-led — play, songs, tummy time and responsive connection. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention suitable for toddlers?
Early intervention is highly suitable for toddlers — the early years are a peak window of brain development, when playful, family-centred support makes the biggest difference with the gentlest effort. No diagnosis is needed to begin. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs Early Intervention the Right Therapy for a Child with Autism Spectrum?
For a child on the autism spectrum, early intervention is widely regarded as the most helpful starting point, building on the rapid development of a young brain. It is not one therapy but a personalised plan — often blending speech therapy, occupational therapy and play-based, relationship-led support, with parents at the centre. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention the right therapy for cerebral palsy?
For a child with cerebral palsy, early intervention is widely regarded as the right first step, using the young brain's neuroplasticity to build movement, communication and daily-living skills. It is a coordinated, family-centred team of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and medical care, 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 early intervention the right therapy for a child with Down syndrome?
Yes — early intervention is the most valuable support for a child with Down syndrome, and the earlier it begins the better. Because Down syndrome is identified at or near birth, support can start in the first months: a coordinated programme of physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and parent coaching, built around the child's strengths and alongside paediatric care. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention the right therapy for Global Developmental Delay?
Yes — early intervention is widely regarded as the right and most effective approach for Global Developmental Delay. Because GDD affects two or more areas of development, a coordinated, multidisciplinary, play-based programme of speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, developmental learning and parent coaching is tailored to each child, and works best when started early to harness the young brain's neuroplasticity. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention the right therapy for gross motor delay?
For most children with a gross motor delay, early intervention — led by physiotherapy with occupational therapy support — is the right approach, because the early years are when movement pathways form most readily. A clinician should first check why the delay is present, then build a play-based plan with parent coaching at home. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs Early Intervention Right for a Child with Hearing Impairment?
For a child with hearing impairment, early intervention is the right approach and the earlier it begins the better. It is not one therapy but a coordinated plan — audiology and ENT care, well-fitted hearing aids or cochlear implants where needed, speech and language therapy, and family-centred coaching — built around the child's hearing, age and family's wishes. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention the right therapy for prematurity-related developmental risk?
For a child with prematurity-related developmental risk, early intervention is the recommended approach — starting gentle, tailored, play-based support during the brain's most adaptable years, judged by corrected age, gives the best chance to thrive. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention right for a child with Speech and Language Delay?
For most children with a speech and language delay, early intervention is the right approach — the early years are when the brain is most adaptable, so timely, play-based, parent-coached support brings the strongest gains. It is tailored to why the delay exists, always begins with a hearing check, and is never a rigid treatment. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs early intervention usually one-on-one or in a group?
Early intervention is usually a blend of one-on-one and small-group sessions, plus parent coaching. Individual therapy targets precise, tailored goals while small groups build social, turn-taking and play skills that need other children. The right balance is a clinical decision shaped by your child's age, goals and readiness. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerFinancial Help for Assistive Devices
Yes — financial help for assistive devices is available in India through the central ADIP scheme, UDID-linked benefits, state welfare schemes, ALIMCO camps and NGO/CSR funding. Most routes need a disability certificate, a clinical device recommendation and an income declaration, so a proper assessment is the first practical step.
Read the answer AnswerIs it harder for a bilingual child to start school?
Being bilingual does not make starting school harder and does not cause language delay. Children may mix languages or have a smaller vocabulary in one language early on, but their combined language is on track. Keep the home language strong; assess concerns across all of a child's languages, never just one.
Read the answer AnswerIs It My Fault My Sibling Has Difficulties?
It is not a sibling's fault that their brother or sister has difficulties. Developmental differences arise from how the brain and body grow, shaped by genes and biology — never by a child's words, thoughts or feelings. Worried, jealous or guilty feelings are normal and do not cause harm. Talking to a trusted grown-up helps. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs It Normal for My Child to Develop More Slowly Than Others?
It is very common and usually normal for children to develop at different speeds, because milestones come in ranges rather than on fixed dates. What matters most is steady progress over time. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs It Normal for My Child to Develop Slower Than Others?
It is normal for children to develop at different speeds, as milestones arrive within a range rather than on a fixed date, and many children who start slower catch up well. What matters is steady progress in the child's own direction; if a gap is persistent or growing, a developmental check brings clarity. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs it normal for progress to come in bursts?
Yes — development normally comes in bursts followed by quieter stretches where the brain consolidates skills. A plateau is usually invisible progress, not a stop. What matters is the forward trend across months; check in if there's no new skill for a long stretch or a clear loss of skills.
Read the answer AnswerIs it normal to feel upset or jealous sometimes?
It is completely normal for brothers and sisters to feel upset or jealous sometimes, especially when a sibling needs extra help and attention. These feelings are okay, and the most helpful thing is to share them with a trusted grown-up. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs it OK to be the way I am?
Yes — it is okay, and good, to be the way you are. Every child thinks, plays and learns differently, and finding some things hard is true for everyone. Asking for help with hard parts is brave, not a sign anything is wrong. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerIs it okay to raise my child trilingual?
Raising a child trilingual is safe and beneficial — the brain is built to learn multiple languages from birth. Children may have smaller vocabularies in each language but a typical total across all of them, and mixing languages is normal. Multilingualism does not cause language disorders; a true difficulty appears in every language, not just one.
Read the answer AnswerIs 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 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.
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