Health Advice
the child development centre
Your GP may refer your child to the CDC for several reasons such as atypical development, behavioural concerns including possible autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or delayed toileting.
The Child Development Centre (CDC) is an assessment centre which provides both initial outpatient assessment and continuing treatment and support for children. The centre offers help to children with developmental disorders that may result in physical, sensory, communication, emotional or learning difficulties.
Specialist professional services
You may be referred to a specialist service by a health professional who is concerned about your child’s development.
Please see below for a list of the different services:
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You may be referred to Audiology if there are concerns about your child’s hearing or balance. Audiologists will carry out a number of diagnostic tests and provide appropriate rehabilitation such as hearing aid fittings and appropriate referrals.
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Children’s physiotherapists assess children with respiratory, developmental, musculoskeletal, neurological and other conditions.
From this, they will create a plan of treatment and exercise activities that is most effective. This can include; movement and exercise, respiratory care, manual therapy, splinting and orthotics, and hydrotherapy.
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If your child has learning, physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive and social needs difficulties, they may be referred to an occupational therapist to find ways to reduce difficulties they face. This could be from different types of aids and adaptations designed to help them in their daily life.
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The CCN team based at Bircham House provide care for any child with short or long term health needs such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, complex disability and home ventilation to name just a few requiring nursing support in the home.
The children that we support cover the whole age range from 0 – 19 years. The team work closely with many outside agencies to ensure the provision of care is appropriate for each child and family for example undertaking assessments for continuing health care packages, respite provision and providing training and liaison with schools. Many of the children will stay within the team for many years before transitioning into the adult services. Others will be supported through palliative care and ultimately end of life. We are also currently hosting a pilot (PACOT) providing support for children and their families with short term acute conditions.
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The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Care Team will assess the child’s difficulties and needs in relation to their bowel and bladder and provide appropriate treatment such as; toilet training support, urotherapy, biofeedback therapy, flow studies, and medication.
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We have a team of doctors based at the CDC and visiting consultants hold specialist clinics. There are general outpatient clinics for atypical development as well as specialised clinics in, genetics, neurology, ophthalmology, ear nose & throat, dietetics, podiatry and orthotics.
There is a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency service for children with conditions such as autism, ADHD and Downs Syndrome. Our doctors also visit all the special schools in Plymouth.
Looked after children may attend the CDC for a statutory medical or an adoption medical if requested by social care.
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A multidisciplinary team to offer support and treatment to children between 5-18 years old who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
This includes mental health nurses, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists whose priority is to work quickly to provide an effective assessment, treatment plan and therapeutic support for individuals, and their families.
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For infants and young children up to the age of 5 years who are experiencing attachment difficulties, behavioural difficulties in the context of social, emotional or developmental difficulties, or have Child Protection concerns impacting on their emotional wellbeing.
They work towards early intervention to improve infant and parental mental health.
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SAL therapists provide treatment, support, and care for children who have difficulties with speech, expressing themselves, communicating socially, understanding others, eating, drinking, and swallowing.