The CHEO Diagnostic Services team is comprised of community pediatricians, developmental pediatricians, psychologists, speech language pathologists, early childhood consultants, nurses, and program assistants. The team provides diagnostic assessments for preschool children with concerns related to multiple areas of their development, and school age children with suspected Autism.
What is a diagnostic assessment?
A diagnostic assessment is a specialized process where the goal is to learn more about a child's developmental profile. Through this process you will learn more about your child's developmental strengths and needs in areas such as: speech and language, motor skills, play, social skills, behaviour, and early learning. A diagnostic assessment may result in your child receiving a developmental diagnosis.
Our CTC diagnostic assessments are provided by professionals who specialize in assessing developmental disabilities.
On this page you will find information on what to expect before, during and after a diagnostic assessment.
Diagnostic Assessment preparation checklist
Make a referral
All referrals are made through the CHEO Access Team:
Make a referral
If your concerns are primarily related to language and speech, please complete the First Words communication checkup and speak with your child's health care provider to discuss the e-screening results.
If you are not sure whether your child is achieving their developmental milestones, please speak with your child's health care provider.
What are developmental disabilities?
A developmental disability is a catch all or umbrella term to describe the difficulties experienced by a person who exhibits developmental, learning, or behavioural differences, when compared to persons of the same age. Some examples of common developmental disabilities include:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) |
- Each person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unique and will have different abilities. Symptoms caused by ASDs might be very mild in one person and quite severe in another (definition by Autism Canada).
- ASD is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others, along with a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviour and/or to have very specific interests/ways of doing things.
- Some people with ASD may have strengths in visual reasoning (e.g. puzzles), computer interests and skills, a strong interest in electronics, memory, reading, drawing and music.
- These strengths are often combined with difficulties/differences in other areas of development.
- Symptoms of ASD can make it harder to communicate with others, interact with others, and make friends.
- Individuals with ASD may have very specialized/unique interests, make repeated body movements, and/or play with toys differently (e.g. lining up/banging toys, playing with toys in the same way over and over).
- They may find it harder to cope with changes in their routine or have their own unique way of doing things. People with ASD may respond to sensory input (e.g. everyday sounds, touch, food, clothing textures, lights) more strongly than others.
- There are many possible causes of ASD (e.g. genetic, biological, environmental). Parenting style and vaccines do not cause ASD.
- If your child is diagnosed with ASD, it is recommended that you see your child's family doctor or pediatrician to see if more medical testing is needed.
- For more information on ASD, including common characteristics, please visit the Geneva Centre for Autism website.
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Global Developmental Delay (GDD) |
- Every child has areas of strengths and weaknesses. A diagnosis of GDD is made when there are significant delays in several areas of development. Only children under 5 years old can be diagnosed with GDD. Often the child is not yet ready for formal problem-solving testing.
- If diagnosed with GDD, it will be recommended that your child participate in another diagnostic assessment when they are older. This will provide more information about their abilities and give further suggestions to help with their learning challenges.
- There are many possible causes of GDD (e.g. genetics, injury, illness). However, the specific cause is often unknown.
- If your child is diagnosed with GDD, it is recommended that you see your child's family doctor or pediatrician to see if more medical testing is needed.
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Intellectual Disability (ID) |
"Children with an intellectual disability have challenges in thinking and learning, and have difficulty with daily activities. They are generally slower than other children in developing motor skills and speech and language skills."
- Every child has areas of strengths and weaknesses.
- A diagnosis of ID is made when there are significant delays in many areas of development (e.g. communication, problem-solving, learning, personal care, play, social skills, motor skills).
- These delays affect a child's day-to-day life (e.g. self-care, social successes, school work).
- A diagnosis of ID is based on the child's results from problem-solving testing, learning and behaviour at home, abilities at school/childcare, and behaviour during the appointment(s).
- There are many possible causes of ID (e.g. genetics, injury, illness). However, the specific cause is often unknown.
- If your child is diagnosed with ID, it is recommended that you see your child's family doctor or pediatrician to see if more medical testing is needed.
- Find out more about ID.
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Developmental disabilities can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how much support the person needs. Support may be in the form of therapy, special education, or supervision.
Before, during and after your diagnostic assessment
Getting ready for a diagnostic assessment |
| Here you will find information on what you can expect from the diagnostic assessment process.
What will you and your child gain from the diagnostic assessment? |
- Learn more about your child's developmental strengths and needs
- Learn if your child could benefit from specialized supports/therapy to help build skills
- Learn if your child has a developmental delay or disability, or differences in their development
- Learn more about the ‘next steps' - things that you can do to support your child's skill-building
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What is the purpose of the diagnostic assessment? |
- Within 1-2 visits, the goal is to learn more about your child's developmental profile, and give suggestions to improve your child's abilities
- The diagnostic assessment process is very specialized. It may result in your child receiving a developmental diagnosis
- The diagnostic assessment process will help to determine if your child would benefit from therapies to help develop their skills
- Children come for an assessment because someone wondered if they may have:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
- Intellectual Disability (ID)
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Why is a diagnostic assessment important when there are developmental concerns? |
- A diagnostic assessment provides essential information to parents, teachers, and other professionals about a child's development and needs.
- Assessment results can be used to make recommendations and plan next steps (e.g. getting help for speech, dressing, eating, learning, and behaviour) that are the best fit for your child.
- Some specialized programs can only be accessed if the child has a specific diagnosis.
- It is very important to remember that a diagnosis does NOT define your child.
- Your child is the same amazing, unique, and lovable person they were before diagnosis.
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What happens at a diagnostic assessment? |
During your visit(s), a psychologist or developmental pediatrician/pediatrician will:
- Ask questions about your child's early development, what your child does well, and what problems you see.
- Observe your child's play, social interactions, communication skills, play interests, and general behaviour.
- Give your child some problem-solving tests, if appropriate.
- Complete a medical examination and offer information about medical tests, if appropriate.
- Ask your permission to speak with other professionals involved in your child's care (e.g. teacher, daycare provider) about their observations.
- Give a developmental diagnosis, if appropriate.
- Answer your questions about the diagnosis.
- Give advice on treatment and next steps to help promote your child's development.
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Other questions? |
| It is common for families to have questions about the diagnostic assessment process. Our team has prepared a detailed handout (see below) to explain the purpose of the assessment. In this handout, we explain which health-care professionals you may meet on the assessment day, and what the assessment will look like. View our information and question sheet and the assessment preparation checklist. |
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Day of the assessment |
| Below are some helpful tips on what and who to bring to your child's diagnostic assessment. In addition, we provide more information on what to expect from the diagnostic assessment process. Helpful tips:
- Bring your child's health card.
- Only parent(s) or legal guardians can bring the child to the first appointment.
- It is important for your child to focus on the requested assessment activities, so we ask that brothers/sisters not come to the appointment(s).
- Bring all reports not previously shared with us. This will help us better understand your child. These include health documents (e.g. speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and medical reports), and school documents (e.g. report cards and program plans).
- If you already have a diagnostic/assessment report from a developmental pediatrician/pediatrician or psychologist, please notify us ahead of time.
- I have a diagnostic/assessment report, who do I contact? Please contact CHEO Access Team 613-737-2757
- Consider bringing nut-free snacks as the appointments can sometimes last a few hours.
- For more information, including what to expect from the diagnostic assessment process, view the day of assessment brochure.
- View the assessment preparation checklist.
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After the assessment |
| Following a diagnostic assessment, your child may have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Intellectual Disability (ID), a different diagnosis, or no diagnosis. The psychologist or developmental pediatrician/pediatrician who conducted your child's assessment will have provided you with recommendations for services or therapies (i.e. next steps). Depending on the needs of your child, you may be directed to one or more of the following services:
- Therapy (e.g. speech-language therapy, occupational therapy)
- Nutrition
- Mental Health
- Behavioural Services
- Case Management
- Social Work/Counselling
- Daycare Support
- Community Supports (e.g. parent and youth groups)
- Ontario Autism Program
You may need to self-refer your child in order to access the recommended service(s). It is important to follow through with the health-care professional's recommendations in order to maximize the opportunities for your child. If you live outside of the Ottawa area, you will be provided with information about services that are closer to your home. Next steps resources Next steps: Lanark, Leeds and Granville Next steps: Ottawa Next steps: Prescott and Russell Next steps: Renfrew counties Next steps: Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry |
Need more information?
Visit our online resource section to learn about a variety of health topics for children and youth and access CHEO recommended websites, books, apps, videos and more!
Resources and support
