The development consultation for children in whom the physician suspects a developmental disorder: early experiences in Maastricht
van der Linden-Kuiper, L.; Ausems-van Herten, T.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 142(18): 1027-1029
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 9623205 Document Number: 491324
The so-called development consultation of the Heuvelland health care organization in Maastricht was organized with a view to early detection of developmental disorders in young children (< or = 6 years), thereby minimizing dysfunctioning. Health centre physicians, general practitioners and school doctors can refer children aged 0-6 years to this combined consultation hour of a paediatrician, a children's neurologist, a children's physiotherapist and in some cases, an educationalist and a speech therapist. After the starting-up phase, the number of referred children was three to six per month. The referring physician is usually present at the joint consultation after the examinations. At this meeting it is attempted to arrive at a diagnosis or at least to draw up a treatment plan. After the meeting, the child's parents or guardians are informed of the team's findings. The first group of 60 children included 9 with a cerebral paresis and 18 with retarded motor development and speech retardation; 8 children were referred for exclusion of neurological/cerebral abnormalities.