Who’s who: the professionals who can help

• Paediatrician: your first stop for any worry about growth, health or development. Can refer you onward.
• Developmental paediatrician: a paediatrician with extra training in development; assesses and diagnoses conditions such as autism, ADHD and developmental delay, and coordinates the plan.
• Child psychiatrist: a doctor who treats emotional, behavioural and mental-health conditions, and can prescribe medicine when needed.
• Paediatric neurologist: for seizures, loss of skills, or concerns about the brain and nerves.

• Child or clinical psychologist: assesses learning, thinking and behaviour; offers therapy for anxiety, behaviour and emotions; parent training.
• Speech and language therapist: understanding, talking, social communication, and feeding and swallowing.
• Occupational therapist (OT): everyday skills: handwriting, dressing, eating, play, and sensory needs.
• Physiotherapist: movement, balance, strength and posture.
• Special educator: teaching approaches for children who learn differently; support at school.
• Audiologist: hearing tests, for any child with speech delay.

Psychologists, special educators and several therapy professions in India are registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India. It is reasonable to ask a professional about their qualifications and registration.

Government District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram offer free screening and early intervention for young children.