Get your child's development checked

If you're worried about your child's development, you can get a free check at the Child Development Service without a referral.

What you’ll get

You can see a speech pathologist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist at a drop-in clinic.

Our therapists will:

• chat with you about your child’s development and any concerns you have
• give you advice and ways to support your child’s development.

If needed, they may:

• give you information about parenting programs, workshops or playgroups
• refer your child for an assessment with one of our therapists
• refer you to other specialists or services.

Check if you can see a therapist

You can see one of our therapists if your child:

• is 6 years old or younger
• lives in the ACT
• is not a National Disability Insurance Scheme participant.

What our therapists check

You can get your child's communication, movement skills and emotional development checked.

If you're not sure what your child needs, call us for advice.

Communication skills

A speech pathologist will check communication skills like:

• talking and understanding language
• stuttering
• social interactions.

Movement skills

A physiotherapist will check large movement and physical skills like:

• rolling
• sitting
• walking
• coordination.

Skills for daily activities

An occupational therapist will check skills needed for daily activities like:

• dressing
• eating
• using the toilet
• using small items like pencils
• playing with others in an age appropriate way
• reactions to everyday sensory things.

See a therapist

There are 3 ways to see a therapist.

• Visit a drop-in clinic. This is the quickest way to talk to a therapist about your child’s development without a referral.
• Fill in the Child Development Service contact form.
• Call us on 02 6207 8884.

Visit a drop-in clinic for child development

Going to a free drop-in clinic is the quickest way for your child to see a speech pathologist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist. You don’t need a referral to go to a drop-in clinic.

At a drop-in clinic, you can:

• have a 20-minute chat with a therapist
• get your child’s skills checked.

What to expect at a drop-in clinic

You cannot book an appointment, so you should arrive early.

If someone else takes your child to the drop-in clinic, they must bring written permission from you.

When you arrive

You will get paperwork to fill in and a time to see a therapist.

You’ll probably have to wait to see a therapist. The waiting time will depend on the number of people ahead of you on the day.

If the drop-in session is full

Our therapists cannot always see everyone during the drop-in clinic opening times.

If we cannot see you on the day, we will ask you to either:

• attend another drop-in clinic
• call us to talk about other options.

Drop-in clinic times and dates

Drop-in clinic sessions are open for a few hours a month. Clinics are not staffed from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm.

Clinics are held at:

• Child Development Service, Holder
• Gungahlin Child and Family Centre, 51 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gungahlin
• Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre, 159 Anketell Street, Greenway
• West Belconnen Child and Family Centre, 6 Luke Street, Holt

These dates are for the ACT public school term 2, 2024.