Child development, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Contact
Phone: (02) 7825 2395
Email: SCHN-CDU@health.nsw.gov.au
Location: Children's Assessment Centre, Level 3, Outpatient Building
About our service
The Child Development Unit (CDU) provides tertiary level comprehensive multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment to children with complex developmental problems.
We manage and support developmental disorders including:
- autism
- neurodevelopmental disorders requiring neuropsychological assessment
- global developmental disorders requiring speech pathology and occupational therapy assessments
- complex learning difficulties associated with comorbidity (having more than one medical condition).
Our service partners with the NSW Department of Education and NSW Health to resource and support the NSW Centre for Effective Reading (CER), a rural and remote program for primary-aged students with significant delays in literacy.
The Child Development Team recognises the complexities faced by children with development difficulties and their families. Our clinic also provides counselling, parent education, information, and support. Referral and connecting with appropriate support and therapy agencies is also offered.
For more information and support regarding accessing local services and support contact the Child Development Unit and ask to speak with the Intake Officer.
- Phone: 7825 2395
- Email: schn-chwchilddevelopmentservicescentralintake@health.nsw.gov.au
Referral process for clinicians
Our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. The Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely.
Consultmed questions and technical support: helpdesk@consultmed.co
Referral and appointment process for parents and carers
Request a referral
To make an appointment at our clinic, you will need a referral from your paediatrician or specialist.
They will assess your child, discuss your concerns, and make a referral to the appropriate service.
Please see your paediatrician for a referral. We do not accept phone referrals.
The referral needs to include the following information:
- letter addressed to the relevant consultant/clinican
- clear statement of goals of assessment
- previous primary and secondary services information /reports.
Intake details and priority will be assessed before an appointment is made.
Track your referral
Our department uses Consultmed to manage referrals. Your referring paediatrician sends the e-referral to us using the secure Consultmed platform.
Once we receive the referral, we will send you an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment.
To receive these updates, please ask your referring paediatrician to include your email on the referral.
If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact helpdesk@consultmed.co.
Need support?
If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us.
Phone: (02) 7825 2395
Email: SCHN-CDU@health.nsw.gov.au
Clinic information
Child Development Unit
Clinic details
- Where: Children's Assessment Centre, Level 3, Outpatient Building
- When: Monday to Friday from 8am to 4:30pm
PECAT (Early Childhood Assessment Team)
The Parramatta Early Childhood Assessment Team (PECAT) provides a diagnostic and assessment service for children under six years of age who are not at school.
Developmental, intellectual, functional and health assessments are made for children who have or are suspected of having a global developmental delay or intellectual disability.
PECAT is a tertiary service for individuals who live in Western Sydney, as defined by the Parramatta, Holroyd, Auburn, Blacktown and Hills Local Government Areas.
The service is operated by The Children's Hospital at Westmead and aims to:
- identify factors that impact on a child's development
- provide support throughout assessment and diagnosis
- recognise and diagnose disorders such as autism
- document a child's level of development looking at strengths and weaknesses
- help the client, family and other professionals in the planning of interventions and services
- consult with the patient and family for health, development or behavioural concerns related to the disability
Location: Auburn Community Health Centre, Norval Street (corner Hevington Road), Auburn.
Phone: (02) 9891 7200
Hours: 9 am-4 pm, Monday to Friday
Email: SCHN-PECAT@health.nsw.gov.au
Patient and family resources
These resources can help you and your child navigate hospital appointments
Hospital passport
The hospital passport gives our health staff information about your child or young person with intellectual disability, Autism or developmental disability. Staff uses the information to adapt the appointment or admission process to your child's needs.
Visiting the Hospital story resource
This is a visual resource to help prepare your child for an appointment with us.
Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP)
This is an evidence-based tool for carrying out annual health assessments for people with intellectual disability in Australia.
Support agencies
- Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) (opens in a new tab)
- Carer Gateway (opens in a new tab)
- Carers NSW (opens in a new tab)
- Barnardos Family Connect and Support service (opens in a new tab)
- Learning Difficulties Coalition for parents (opens in a new tab)
- Parent Line (opens in a new tab)
- Raising Children Network (opens in a new tab)
- Relationships Australia (opens in a new tab)
- Siblings Australia (opens in a new tab)
- The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (opens in a new tab)
