PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Neurological & Developmental Assessment Services

We are committed to addressing all aspects of the health of our young patients. Along with medical care, our practice offers infant and child neurological & developmental assessment services to address a wide variety of concerns. As a Doctor of Pediatric Neurology at the First University Pediatric Clinic of the University of Athens, Dr. Kremenopoulos is trained in neurological & developmental assessment of infants and children. With a background in practices that support the health and well-being of infants, children and adolescents, our goal is to help children and families achieve optimal health, functioning and quality of life. We are here to provide guidance and support as you navigate the challenges of child development. 

Neurological assessment

The infant-child neurologic evaluation aims to determine central and peripheral nervous system immaturity. A neurological assessment allows the pediatrician to observe the infant-child's nervous system in action to assess:

• the mental state (level of awareness and interaction with the environment)
• motor and sensory skills
• balance and coordination
• reflexes

There are different areas to focus on during a typical neurological assessment and these depend on factors such as the child's symptoms, age and overall health. Abnormal functioning of the nervous system can cause delays in its normal development and functioning. However, with early detection, the chances of finding and treating the cause automatically increase to reduce the chances of it having long-term complications. A neurological evaluation may be performed during a routine physical exam, either soon after birth or later in childhood or adolescence, to investigate potential problems or rule something out.

Developmental assessment

The normal growth rate varies widely, thus making it difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal growth patterns based on individual snapshots of a child. As the various abilities evolve alongside the development process, the further a child is from the average, the more the chances of him/her exhibiting a developmental disorder that may be due to an organic, functional or environmental cause increase.

The following conditions require prompt and correct diagnosis and treatment:

• Pervasive Developmental Disorders (autism spectrum disorders)
• Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD)
• Speech delay or speech disorders 
• Gait delay, unsteadiness, tiptoeing, or abnormal posture and gait
• Fine motor disorder
• Specific learning disorders (dyslexia, dysspelling, dyscalculia, etc.)
• Impaired comprehension of written and spoken language

If the neurological and/or developmental assessment shows further signs of concern, referral to a specialist provider-partner is possible.