Developmental Paediatrics

Developmental Paediatricians have specialty interest, training and experience in the development of children: how they grow, how they acquire knowledge and skills, how they learn to behave and socialise. We use our training to understand children from a medical point of view, in order to determine the reasons for different problems of development and behaviour.

We use this knowledge to help others (parents, teachers) understand children better- what they can and cannot do, the reasons for the current difficulties, and provide a sense of what the future may hold.

Our major work is to support and guide parents in the journey of raising their children to achieve the best development and mental health/wellbeing by the time they become adults. This may include the use of screening and diagnostic tests, appropriate referral to other specialists, specific recommendations regarding treatments and therapies, medication treatments, and advocacy (to help others understand children and adapt their expectations).

The team offers support and advice for families of children with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, High risk infant follow-up, Developmental Delay, Delayed Speech and Language, certain Neurological problems and Learning disabilities. Our team is supported by a speech and language pathologist, an occupational therapist and prosthetic and orthotic services in the Chittoor CMC hospital.