Utilizing a transdisciplinary team to assess development by observing children at play.

Play is the primary means of early childhood learning and development. It reflects thinking skills, emotional development, social skills, language usage and movement skills. Taking the opportunity to observe a child engaged in play is an effective way to assess the overall normal growth progress.

What is its Purpose?

TAMC Child Play Assessment (CPA) uses a flexible, child-directed process with a transdisciplinary team of specialists who together observe the child at play. Responsive to the needs of the child and concerns of the family, this process allows the team to create a detailed and comprehensive portrait of the child, based on play activities and behaviors. An in-depth parent/caregiver interview is an important part of the process.

The process also assists in determining the child's eligibility for services such as family support, speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Selection Criteria

This innovative, family-centered approach to assessment can be used with children from birth to five years of age. The approach is designed to assess whether a child has delays or difficulties in any of the five domains of development:

• thinking and learning skills
• social and emotional development
• speech-language usage
• movement skills
• self-help skills

If you have concerns in any of these areas of child development, or if your child is considered "at risk" for delay (premature birth, prenatal drug experience, etc.), an assessment may be warranted.

Transdisciplinary Team

The core assessment team includes the child and family, healthcare provider, and physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, psychologist, and speech-language pathologist as needed. The specialists collaborate during each assessment to add greater depth to the process.

A service coordinator from Child Development Services will often be an integral part of the team as well.

For More Information...

To make an appointment, call 768-4169.

Most major medical insurance is accepted. To be certain that your assessment is covered, please check with your insurance company.

Aroostook Pediatrics