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Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics

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Our Division of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics offers multidisciplinary service committed to providing holistic care for children with developmental, learning and behavioural difficulties.

At our Child Development Unit (CDU), we assess and manage children from birth to 7 years old (Kindergarten 2 and below) with a range of learning, behavioural and developmental needs at the Jurong Medical Centre and Keat Hong Community Club. These include: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD (Children), Speech and Language Disorders, children with Hearing Impairments, Developmental Delays, Specific Learning Disabilities (i.e. Dyslexia, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Specific Language Impairment), behavioural difficulties, and children with chronic illnesses at risk of developmental delays.

We understand and value the role of empowering your family in our care. CDU has family-centred and community-based clinics where we use the Brazelton Touchpoints approach in working with children and families.

Our Team

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We are a team of paediatricians specialising in developmental and behavioural paediatrics, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, learning support educators, nurses and social workers.

Head of Division & Senior Consultant

Adj A/Prof Chong Shang Chee

Deputy Head & Senior Consultant

Dr Kang Ying Qi

Senior Consultant

Dr Evelyn Law
Dr Jennifer Kiing
Dr Mulay Kalyani Vijaykumar

Consultants

Dr Aishworiya Ramkumar
Dr Tammy Lim
Dr Tan Mae Yue

Associate Consultant

Dr Magdalena Yvonne Koh

Our Goals

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To form partnerships with patients and support their families when they use our services within CDU
To form community partnerships with preschools, schools and early intervention programmes to benefit patients and their families
To educate the public and health professionals on learning, behavioural and developmental issues in children
To build strong links within community organisations and government agencies
To advocate for children with special needs (including children with sensory impairment) and their families
To conduct developmental surveillance for children with a higher risk of developmental delay (e.g. children with chronic illnesses)

Our Services

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Common conditions seen by our paediatricians include children that speak later, children with suspected autism, inattentive or hyperactive children, and children with behavioural, toileting or feeding difficulties.

Assessments

We provide the following assessments for preschoolers below the age of 7:

Autism Assessment
Educational Assessment (including cognitive testing and school readiness assessment)
Neurodevelopmental Assessment (evaluation of a child's developmental weaknesses and strengths to optimise a child's ability to learn)
Speech and Language Assessment
Motor Skills Assessment
ADHD Assessment
Behavioural Assessments
School Observations

Therapy Services

Our range of therapy services for preschoolers below the age of 7 include:

Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy
Learning Support
Parent Training
Psychology Services

Education

Our division is committed to Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics training as a subspecialty with strong affiliations with colleagues in teaching programmes from the United States. Our team of doctors also bring forth skills, knowledge and experience from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and the local special needs community. We are one of the main hospital sites for the placement of interns and students in psychology and allied health services. We offer a comprehensive fellowship programme for paediatricians in the local region.

Community And Public Education

Our team of doctors and allied health professionals actively educate the public through regular symposiums and talks. We are committed to primary care physician education (polyclinics and general practitioners) in developmental screening and surveillance of children.

We also educate teachers and the public and participate regularly in teaching and public seminars. Our doctors and allied health professionals are part of the Early Intervention Consultancy that helps early intervention centres in the community under the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Enabling Masterplan with advancing their skills and education in child developmental issues. We also act in advocacy on various platforms for the local special needs community.

We are committed to delivering high standards of clinical care, in active partnership with community and educational sectors and stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Intelligence Quotient (IQ) Testing

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1. What is an IQ test?

2. Why does my child need an IQ assessment?

3. What are IQ scores?

4. Can IQ scores change?

5. How can I prepare my child for an IQ Test?

6. What tests will the psychologist be using to assess my child?

1. What is an IQ test?

IQ tests can come in many forms.

A typical IQ test requires your child to solve some problems in a given time under supervision. In the IQ test, there are many mini tests. Some require your child to respond to the questions verbally while others require your child to make patterns with coloured blocks and to look at some pictures. Some of these mini tests are timed, so your child will need to do as many questions in the mini test as he or she can within a time limit. The whole test takes about 2 hours to administer depending on the age of your child.

2. Why does my child need an IQ assessment?

The doctor will usually refer your child for an assessment if:

Your child has difficulty coping with his or her current school demands.
There is a concern whether your child is ready for Primary 1 in a mainstream school.
Your child may benefit more from a special education service rather than mainstream education.
Your child has any existing medical condition or is on any medication that may affect his or her learning or thinking ability.

Please note that we do not administer IQ assessments for giftedness.

3. What are IQ scores?

An IQ score is a measure of intelligence, which usually reflects reasoning ability.

Scores from tests are estimates based on test performance on a particular day. There is always a margin of error and this is factored into the reported scores. It is also important to note that the score will not change greatly from day to day. Nonetheless, children's cognitive abilities may change substantially over the course of early childhood with increased exposure and intervention. It is therefore important to view the child's IQ scores as a snapshot of child's current development.

IQ is a good predictor of academic functioning. However, it is not necessarily the best predictor of success. IQ tests do not measure creativity, leadership, initiative, artistic talent, or physical prowess – all components which can be defined as intelligence. For example, a talented piano player or a gifted athlete may score low on a standard IQ test, even though they may have a high ability in their area of expertise. IQ scores should always be part of a comprehensive evaluation which contributes to understanding of a child's current strengths and needs.

4. Can IQ scores change?

IQ is usually stable over time and unless there are unusual circumstances, re-testing of IQ within 2 years is not recommended. Testing of children before 4 years old is also unlikely to be accurate because their behaviour is too unpredictable. Therefore, IQ tests are administered to children above 5 years in our CDU.

5. How can I prepare my child for an IQ Test?

You cannot teach your child how to answer the IQ questions although there are some steps you can take to make it a successful and enjoyable session for your child.

Try to schedule the IQ test when your child is at his or her best. If your child needs to take an afternoon nap, then do not schedule the session in the afternoon.
Explain to your child in simple terms that he or she will be taking a test that needs him or her to really concentrate. Do not overly emphasise the importance of this test as this may create a level of anxiety in your child that will inhibit his or her performance.
Allow your child to have plenty of rest the night before as well as a good breakfast on the day of the test. Depending on the age of your child and the IQ test chosen, he or she may be tested for several hours.

6. What tests will the psychologist be using to assess my child?

The Wechsler tests are the most common individually administered IQ tests.

Sometimes, the psychologist will also ask you some questions about your child's behaviour (in terms of communication, daily living, social skills, etc.) by using standardised tests such as the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales – Third Edition.

There are many tests available but we have selected those which are commonly used and acknowledged by other professionals.

What To Expect At Your First Appointment

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An initial clinical assessment of your child will be done by a paediatrician specialising in developmental and behavioural paediatrics. Referrals for appropriate assessments and therapy will be discussed with you.