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Special Education
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Signs & concerns
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Signs & concerns
When Do Children Develop Visual Recognition?
Most babies recognise a parent's face by 2–3 months, familiar objects by 6–9 months, and pictures by their first birthday. By 3–5 years children reliably recognise letters, shapes, colours and symbols — the visual foundations for reading. Timing varies widely and a range is normal.
Read the answer AnswerWhen Do Children Usually Develop Visual Scanning?
Visual scanning — purposefully moving the eyes to search for information — develops through the toddler and preschool years. By 3–4 years children find a named object among others; by 5–7 they sweep a page left-to-right with speed and accuracy, supporting reading and writing. Every child blooms on their own timeline.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to refer a child with possible Auditory Processing Difficulties
Refer a child when listening difficulties persist beyond 6–9 months, appear across home and school, and aren't explained by an ear infection. Always arrange a hearing check first; formal auditory-processing testing is meaningful from around age 7. When in doubt, refer early — only a clinician can assess and diagnose.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible childhood anxiety?
Refer a child for specialist assessment when anxiety is persistent (most days for 4+ weeks), out of proportion, and disrupting school, sleep, eating or friendships. Mild situational nervousness does not need referral. Any mention of self-harm needs same-day urgent referral. Frontline workers notice the pattern; clinicians confirm and support.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to Refer for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Refer any child with markedly delayed, effortful or inconsistent speech to a speech-language pathologist without waiting — especially when comprehension outpaces output, or you see visible struggle to form sounds. Early referral improves outcomes; only a clinician can confirm CAS.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Childhood Sleep Difficulties?
Refer a child for specialist assessment when sleep problems persist beyond a few weeks despite routine advice, affect daytime behaviour or growth, or carry red flags like snoring with breathing pauses, possible seizures, or a developmental concern. Most short-lived sleep trouble settles with reassurance and a steady bedtime routine.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to Refer Conduct-Dissocial Disorder
Refer when difficult behaviour is severe, persistent (six months or more), spans more than one setting, and harms the child's safety, schooling or family — and refer urgently if anyone is at risk. A specialist confirms what is happening; the frontline worker's early referral changes outcomes.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible DLD?
Refer when language difficulty persists past age markers — or immediately for red flags like loss of words, no response to sound, or no babble/gesture by 12 months. Always pair the referral with a hearing check. When in doubt, refer; early checking never harms a child, and only a clinician diagnoses DLD.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to Refer Developmental Regression
Developmental regression — losing skills a child once had — is a red flag, not a wait-and-see sign. Refer promptly: same-day if there are seizures, weakness or altered alertness; within the week for clear loss of language, social or motor skills. Believe the parent's history and route it onward.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Developmental Trauma?
Refer whenever a child shows a persistent change in relating, feeling or developing — especially after a known adversity — or any safety concern. You needn't be certain; recognising the pattern and routing it onward is your role. When in doubt, refer early.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Down syndrome?
Refer promptly: any newborn or infant with a cluster of recognisable features — low tone, single palmar crease, upward-slanting eyes, flat nasal bridge, feeding difficulty — needs paediatric referral within days. Confirmation is by clinical exam and karyotype only. Escalate same-day for breathing or heart concerns.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible dyscalculia?
Refer a school-age child (usually 7–8+) when number difficulty is persistent for six months or more, markedly below grade level, specific to maths, and not explained by schooling gaps, vision/hearing problems, or another condition. Rule out those first, then route for structured assessment — diagnosis is made only by a clinician.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline worker refer a child with possible Dysgraphia?
Refer a child for possible Dysgraphia when written-output difficulty is persistent, age-inappropriate and unexplained by other causes — clearly from age 7–8, once formal writing instruction has had time to work. Before that, monitor and support. Refer promptly for any sudden skill loss, hand weakness or vision concern.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible dyslexia?
Refer a school-age child (around 6–7+) when reading stays slow and effortful despite proper instruction, once hearing, vision, schooling and language barriers are ruled out. Look for a persistent cluster of signs, not one bad day. The frontline worker opens the door; only a clinician confirms dyslexia.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties?
Refer a child with possible emotional & behavioural difficulties when the problem is persistent (beyond 4-6 weeks), pervasive (across home and school), and interfering with learning, relationships or daily life. Refer promptly for any self-harm risk or sudden regression. Frontline workers route, not diagnose.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with feeding difficulties?
Refer a child for specialist feeding assessment when feeding is unsafe (choking, coughing, noisy breathing), when growth is faltering, or when refusal persists for weeks. Aspiration and poor weight gain are urgent triggers. When in doubt, refer early.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to Refer a Child with Possible FASD
Refer when prenatal alcohol exposure is confirmed or suspected alongside growth, developmental or behavioural concerns — or when unexplained delay and learning or behaviour difficulties appear. You needn't be certain; suspicion plus concern is enough. Confirmation and diagnosis are the specialist's role.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Fine Motor Delay?
Refer a child with possible Fine Motor Delay when hand-and-finger skills clearly lag age milestones, when a skill is lost, or when the family is worried. A pattern across visits matters more than one slow milestone. When in doubt, refer — only a clinician can assess and diagnose.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to refer a child with a possible genetic or chromosomal syndrome
Refer when you see a cluster of unusual features, or any feature alongside developmental delay — you don't need to name the syndrome. Same-day medical referral for breathing, feeding crises or seizures. When in doubt, refer; only a clinician diagnoses.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Global Developmental Delay?
Refer when a child shows significant delay in two or more developmental domains, when a previously gained skill is lost (regression), or when delay comes with red flags like seizures, abnormal tone, or hearing/vision concerns. When in doubt, refer — early referral never harms.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible gross motor delay?
Refer a child for specialist assessment when gross motor milestones are clearly delayed — not sitting by 9 months, not walking by 18 months — or sooner if you see loss of skills, stiffness, floppiness, or one-sided weakness. A single late milestone is often normal; a pattern, a regression or a red flag warrants prompt referral.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible hypotonia?
Refer a child with possible hypotonia when floppiness persists, motor milestones are clearly delayed, skills are lost, or there is feeding/breathing difficulty — and same-day for a limp newborn. Isolated mild tone in a thriving baby can be monitored and re-checked. Hypotonia is a sign, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Intellectual Disability?
Refer when a child shows persistent delay across two or more areas — motor, language, understanding, self-care or social — that is not catching up, or any loss of skills. Frontline workers spot the pattern; only a clinician confirms it.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline health worker refer a child with possible Motor Planning Difficulties?
Refer when difficulty planning and sequencing movement is persistent, age-inappropriate, and interferes with daily tasks — after ruling out an obvious medical cause. You don't need certainty; a clear pattern is enough. Sudden loss of skills, weakness or asymmetry go to a paediatrician urgently.
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