Developmental Evaluation

Although your child’s pediatrician monitors your child’s development at each visit, you can also request a special developmental evaluation to take a closer look at your child’s development. A provider evaluates your child’s development based on your child’s age. A provider looks at your child’s:

• Fine motor skills (for example, writing or working with their hands)
• Gross motor skills (for example, running or jumping)
• Expressive language skills (what your child can say)
• Receptive language skills (what your child can understand)
• Activities of daily living (for example, tying their shoes)
• Perceptional organizational skills (for example, identifying shapes)

The provider compares your child’s skill level with typical developmental milestones for children who are your child’s age. 

Learn more about early childhood development

Access

If your child is between ages three and five, ask for an evaluation from your child’s school. If your child is under age three, ask for an evaluation from Early Intervention. You can also get a referral from your child’s pediatrician or a recommendation from your child’s school, childcare provider, or other parents or friends.

Providers

• Developmental behavioral pediatrician

Location

Evaluations are done at your child’s school, in Early Intervention, or in a provider’s office at a hospital, community health center, or private practice.

Learn more about mental health evaluations