The Importance of Multidisciplinary Evaluations
/Written by: Evangeline Bauer, Founder and CEO of Come Play, STL
As parents, we cherish the joy and wonder of watching our children grow and develop. Sometimes, our children hit milestones in different ways or at other times than we expected, or face unforeseen developmental, academic, or social challenges. In such moments, it's natural to wonder how we can best support them on their unique journey.
At Come Play, we recognize the importance of providing children with the tools and opportunities they need to flourish. That's why we firmly believe in the power of multidisciplinary evaluations—a comprehensive and collaborative approach that leads to a further understanding of your child and how to help them reach their full potential.
In this article, we’ll dive into what multidisciplinary evaluations are, their benefits, and what to expect from the evaluation itself and the results. Come Play specializes in helping children grow and thrive in a fun, welcoming environment where they can feel comfortable being themselves. We believe all children are exceptional!
Understanding Multidisciplinary Evaluations
Multidisciplinary evaluations refer to a comprehensive and collaborative approach to assessing and understanding a child's developmental, academic, and/or social challenges. These evaluations involve a team of professionals from different disciplines, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, and education, working together to gain a holistic perspective of the child's strengths and areas of concern.
Multidisciplinary evaluations allow for the accurate identification of developmental delays and disabilities, and the creation of individualized intervention plans. They focus on the child as a whole, taking into account the emotional, physical, social, and cognitive aspects of their development.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Assessment
A comprehensive assessment includes separate evaluations from all appropriate disciplines, and ensures that no aspect of the child's development is overlooked. By involving professionals from different disciplines, the evaluation can encompass a wide range of factors that contribute to overall well-being. This means that both apparent and subtle challenges can be identified, and underlying issues may be brought to light, even those that might have been missed in a more narrowly focused assessment.
It also allows for early detection of developmental delays, learning disabilities, or other concerns. Early intervention is crucial for providing timely support to the child. By addressing issues at an early stage, the child's progress can be significantly improved, leading to greater confidence and self-esteem.
The collaboration between professionals promotes a more well-rounded and effective approach to therapy. Each expert contributes their specialized knowledge and skills, leading to a treatment plan that is tailored to the child's specific needs. This collaboration ensures that interventions complement one another, resulting in a more cohesive and impactful therapeutic experience.
Finally, multidisciplinary assessments serve as a valuable tool for tracking the child's progress over time. By establishing baseline assessments and measurable goals, the therapy team can regularly evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and make adjustments as needed. This data-driven approach not only ensures accountability but also celebrates the child's achievements.
Does Your Child Need a Multidisciplinary Evaluation?
While each child develops at their own pace, there are important milestones to watch for and certain red flags that may indicate the need for a closer look. Regardless of these milestones, if you are ever concerned about your child's development, it never hurts to talk to your pediatrician or seek additional support.
Developmental Milestones and Red Flags in the Early Years
Developmental milestones are important markers in a child's growth and are used to track their progress during the early years. The CDC’s Milestone Checklist offers a quick snapshot of what to look for during the first five years of life.
Red flags during the early years may include:
Lack of eye contact
No response to sounds or voices
Delayed speech or vocalizations
Limited motor skills or difficulties with coordination
Difficulty interacting with peers
Lack of imaginative play
Difficulty following instructions
Frequent and intense meltdowns
Recognizing Potential Signs of Learning Disabilities or Developmental Delays
Once your child hits school age, you may begin to notice challenges with reading, writing, math, or any other area of academic readiness, such as focus and attention. These may be signs of a learning disability or developmental delay that is impacting your child’s success at school. In addition to seeking insights from your child’s teacher, here are some signs to watch for:
Learning Disabilities:
Difficulty acquiring reading, writing, or math skills at an age-appropriate level
Challenges with processing information, following instructions, or organizing thoughts
Persistent struggles with attention and focus, leading to difficulties in completing tasks
Huge resistance to reading, writing, or math homework
Developmental Delays:
Delayed speech and language development, including difficulties expressing themselves or understanding others
Motor skill delays, such as difficulty with walking, running, or using fine motor abilities like holding a pencil or cutting with scissors
Slow progress in achieving other developmental milestones for their age
Social Challenges:
Difficulty making and maintaining friendships
Reluctance to engage in social interactions or play with peers
Persistent social withdrawal or isolation
Emotional Challenges:
Extreme emotional reactions that seem disproportionate to the situation
Frequent tantrums or meltdowns
Difficulty managing emotions and expressing feelings
Difficulty understanding the emotions of others or knowing how to react
If you notice any signs of learning, developmental, social, or emotional challenges in your child, it's important to seek professional guidance. A multidisciplinary evaluation can bring together various experts to gain a complete understanding of your child's needs. Early intervention and support through pediatric therapy can make a significant difference in your child's development and overall well-being.
The Multidisciplinary Evaluation Process
The evaluation process begins with an initial consultation where you, as parents, will have the opportunity to share your concerns, observations, and aspirations for your child. This step allows the team to gather essential information about your child's history, milestones, and any specific areas of concern you may have. Following this consultation, our team at Come Play will collaborate to design a customized assessment plan for your child.
On the day of evaluation, you will be introduced to the various professionals involved in your child’s assessment. This may include speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and behavior specialists.
While individual assessments typically take 3-4 hours, a full comprehensive assessment can take between 11-14 hours. Comprehensive assessments are broken out between 2-3 days. At Come Play, we almost always include a community observation, whether that be at summer camp, school, daycare, a playground, or an extracurricular activity. This allows us to observe your child in a group setting within a natural environment.
Results of a Multidisciplinary Evaluation
Following the evaluation, we will meet with you to discuss the assessment results, answer your questions, and present our recommendations. The results may include diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Depression, Sensory Processing Disorder, Language Disorder, exceptionally intelligent, or other Learning Disorders.
Remember that the purpose of an evaluation isn’t to “put a label” on a child, but rather to create a structure of support that will help your child thrive both in and out of school. We aim to empower you with knowledge and a comprehensive intervention plan tailored to your child's needs. This plan will outline the goals, strategies, and timeline for your child's therapy and support. At Come Play, rest assured you are always given a clear path forward and next steps, so you will feel supported in raising your exceptional child.
If you are interested in therapeutic services or an evaluation for your child, please Contact Us and a member of our team will guide you through the process.