Infant & Toddler Development

Watching your child grow is one of the great joys of parenthood, and sometimes, one of the great worries. Whether you have a question about a milestone your child hasn't reached yet, or a gut feeling that something isn't quite right, your GP is an important first point of contact.

At Robina Town Medical Centre, we help you monitor your child's development across all areas - growth, speech, movement, behaviour, and social skills - and connect you with early intervention support when it's needed. Because when it comes to child development, early action makes a real difference.

Infant and Toddler Developmental Checks

Regular developmental checks from the newborn phase onwards allow your GP to track your child's progress over time and identify any areas where additional support may be helpful. These checks are a normal and important part of your child's healthcare, and no concern is too small to raise.

We can monitor and assess:

• Growth - weight, height, and head circumference plotted over time
• Motor skills - both gross motor (sitting, crawling, walking) and fine motor (grasping, drawing, using utensils)
• Speech and language - understanding, expression, and communication development
• Behaviour and emotional regulation - including temperament, social interaction, and attention
• Social development - how your child relates to others and engages with the world around them

Speech and Language Concerns

Speech and language delays are among the most common concerns parents raise, and early support is key. If you've noticed your child isn't babbling, talking, or being understood the way other children their age are, it's worth discussing with your GP sooner rather than later.

We can assess your child's communication development, rule out contributing factors such as hearing difficulties, and refer to a speech pathologist when appropriate.

Motor Skill Development

Concerns about how your child moves, whether they seem floppy, uncoordinated, clumsy, or are not meeting physical milestones, are worth exploring early. Your GP can assess motor development and refer to a paediatric physiotherapist or occupational therapist if further evaluation is needed.

Behavioural Changes

Changes in behaviour, persistent difficulties with attention, or concerns about how your child is interacting with others can be the first signs that additional support would be helpful. This includes concerns related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other developmental differences.

Your GP can provide an initial assessment, discuss your concerns, and refer to the appropriate specialists including paediatricians and our own ADHD assessment service for eligible patients.

Early Intervention Referrals

If your GP identifies a developmental concern, early intervention gives your child the best chance of reaching their potential. We work closely with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, paediatricians, and early childhood services to ensure your child is seen by the right people at the right time.

We can assist with referrals to:

• Speech pathology
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Paediatric psychology
• Paediatricians
• NDIS-registered providers where applicable

When Should I Be Concerned?

Every child develops at their own pace, and there is a wide range of what's considered typical. That said, if you have a concern, trust your instincts. You know your child best. Our GPs will always take your concerns seriously and help you work out whether further investigation is needed.

As part of our ongoing children’s health services, we can also help with acute care such as ear infections, asthma, respiratory viruses, skin concerns and childhood immunisations.

To book an appointment for your infant or toddler, get in touch with Robina Town Medical Centre today.