Short answer: A child development assessment is a structured, play-based check of how your child communicates, moves, plays, learns and manages everyday tasks. At Paramount Child Development Centre, the same assessment is offered at our Durgapura centre in Jaipur and our Silver Jubilee Road centre in Sikar. It usually takes one visit and ends with a plain-language explanation and a written plan. An assessment is not the same as a formal diagnosis, but it tells you whether your child needs support, what kind, and where to start.
Key takeaways
- An assessment looks at the whole child: speech, motor skills, sensory responses, behaviour, play and learning, not just the one thing that worried you.
- Screening flags a possible concern, an assessment shows what is going on and what to do, and a formal diagnosis is made by a developmental paediatrician, child psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening for every child at 9, 18 and 30 months, and autism screening at 18 and 24 months.
- Bring previous reports, a hearing test if you have one, school notes, and short phone videos of the behaviour that worries you.
- Therapy does not need to wait for a diagnosis. Families in Jaipur and Sikar can start support while any diagnostic appointment is pending.
- In India, an autism disability certificate is issued by a government medical board using the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA), not by a private centre.
Screening, assessment and diagnosis: what’s the difference?
Parents often hear these three words used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t, and knowing the difference saves a lot of waiting.
| Step | What it is | Who does it | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screening | A short questionnaire or checklist that flags whether a child may need a closer look. For example, the M-CHAT-R/F is an autism screening checklist for toddlers aged 16 to 30 months. | Paediatrician, therapist, or parent questionnaire | “Low concern” or “needs a closer look” |
| Developmental assessment | A detailed, play-based look at communication, motor skills, sensory responses, behaviour, learning and daily living | Therapists and psychologists at a child development centre | A profile of strengths and difficulties, and a therapy plan |
| Formal diagnosis | A clinical decision on whether a child meets the criteria for a condition such as autism or ADHD | Developmental paediatrician, child psychiatrist or clinical psychologist | A named diagnosis, needed for some school and government processes |
Many families wait months for a diagnostic appointment before doing anything else. You don’t need to. The assessment is what tells you what to work on, and therapy can begin while the diagnostic process continues.
When should a child have a developmental assessment?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening for all children at 9, 18 and 30 months, and autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months. If your child hasn’t been screened at these ages, ask your paediatrician, or book an assessment directly.
Book an assessment at our Jaipur or Sikar centre if:
- your child is behind on talking, walking, play or toilet training compared with children of the same age
- a teacher has raised concerns about attention, behaviour, handwriting or learning
- your child has very strong reactions to noise, touch, food textures or crowds
- your paediatrician has mentioned autism, ADHD or developmental delay
- your child has lost words or skills they used to have. Book promptly; don’t wait.
- you have a feeling that something isn’t right. Parents are usually the first to notice.
For age-by-age speech milestones, read our guide to screen time and speech delay. For autism signs, see the early signs of autism, age by age.
What happens at a child development assessment at Paramount CDC
The process is the same at our Jaipur and Sikar centres. To your child, most of it looks like a play session.
- A conversation with you. Pregnancy and birth, milestones, health, family history, daily routine (sleep, food, screen time) and what worries you most. You know your child better than anyone, so this is often the most useful part.
- Play-based observation. With toys, puzzles, books and movement activities, the therapist watches how your child communicates, plays, moves, responds to their name, and copes with small changes.
- Developmental profiling. Communication, fine and gross motor skills, sensory responses, attention, behaviour and daily living skills are compared with what is typical for your child’s age, using standardised tools where appropriate.
- Ruling out other causes. Hearing comes first. If your child’s hearing hasn’t been tested, we will recommend it, because a hearing problem can look like a speech or attention difficulty.
- Feedback and a written plan. We explain what we found in plain language, which therapies we recommend and how often, and what you can start at home. If a formal diagnosis is needed, we say so and help you find the right specialist.
What the assessment looks at
| Area | What we look at | If support is needed |
|---|---|---|
| Speech and language | Understanding words, using words and gestures, clarity of speech, social communication | Speech therapy: Jaipur · Sikar |
| Motor skills | Pencil grip, using hands, balance, coordination, climbing, self-care such as dressing and eating | Occupational therapy: Jaipur · Sikar |
| Sensory processing | Reactions to noise, touch, movement and food textures; seeking or avoiding sensations | Sensory integration therapy: Jaipur · Sikar |
| Behaviour and social interaction | Eye contact, shared attention, play with others, coping with transitions and meltdowns | ABA therapy: Jaipur · Sikar Autism therapy: Jaipur · Sikar |
| Learning and school readiness | Attention, early academic skills, following group instructions | Special education: Jaipur · Sikar |
| Emotional wellbeing (older children and teens) | Anxiety, mood, school stress, behaviour at home | Psychological counselling: Jaipur · Sikar |
How to prepare for your child’s assessment
What to bring
- Any previous reports: paediatrician notes, hearing or eye tests, earlier therapy reports
- Your child’s birth and vaccination records
- Notes or report cards from school or playschool, if your child attends
- Two or three short phone videos of the behaviour that worries you, since it may not happen in the clinic
- A list of the words your child uses, if speech is the concern
- Your questions, written down so you don’t forget them on the day
Preparing your child
- Choose a time when your child is usually rested, and avoid nap time.
- Give a meal or snack beforehand, and bring water and a familiar snack.
- Bring a favourite toy or comfort object.
- Tell your child they are going to a place to play. Avoid words like “doctor” or “test” if those worry them.
- Come with the person who spends the most time with your child. In many families that is a grandparent, and they are welcome too.
Don’t worry if your child doesn’t “perform”. Therapists expect children to be shy, upset or very different from how they are at home. That is exactly why your history and videos matter.
What you take home
- A plain-language explanation of your child’s strengths and difficulties
- A written plan: which therapies, how often, and goals for the first few months
- Simple things to start at home straight away
- Advice on whether a formal diagnosis or other tests, such as a hearing test, are needed, and who to see
Plans are reviewed as your child progresses. Read how we measure progress in therapy to see what that looks like.
Formal diagnosis and autism disability certificates in India
Our assessment describes your child’s development and needs. A formal diagnosis of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability is made by a developmental paediatrician, child psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. We work alongside them and, with your permission, share our observations.
For government benefits and some school accommodations, families need a disability certificate and UDID (Unique Disability ID) card. Under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s 2016 autism certification guidelines, an autism certificate is issued by a government Autism Certification Medical Board (a psychiatrist, a clinical or rehabilitation psychologist, and a paediatrician or physician) using the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA). Applications are made through the UDID (Swavlamban) portal.
Private reports, including ours, can support the application but cannot replace the board’s own assessment. Check the current requirements and the authorised government hospital for your district before you go.
Jaipur or Sikar: which centre should you choose?
Both centres follow the same assessment approach and the same team model: speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration, ABA, special education and psychological counselling under one roof. Choose the centre nearer home. Therapy means regular visits, and a short journey makes it far easier to keep going.
| Paramount CDC Jaipur | Paramount CDC Sikar | |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 1st Floor, 10 Tonk Road, opposite BMW Showroom, Kailash Puri Colony, Durgapura, Jaipur 302015 | 2nd Floor, Savigo Tower (above Tanishq & LG Showroom), opposite Police Line, Silver Jubilee Road, Sikar 332001 |
| Convenient for | Families across Jaipur city and nearby towns | Families in Sikar and the Shekhawati region, including Jhunjhunu and Churu |
| Days open | Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 19:30 | Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 19:30 |
| Phone / WhatsApp | +91 6376 345 510 | +91 6376 345 510 |
| Assessment and therapies | Same approach; all therapies listed above | Same approach; all therapies listed above |
If you live in Sikar, Jhunjhunu or Churu, you don’t need to travel to Jaipur for an assessment or for regular therapy.
A word for nervous parents
Booking an assessment doesn’t mean you have decided something is wrong. It means you want a clear answer. Sometimes that answer is reassurance that your child is developing in their own time. Sometimes it is a plan. Both are better than months of searching online and wondering.
Frequently asked questions
What is a child development assessment?
A child development assessment is a structured, play-based evaluation of how a child communicates, moves, plays, learns and manages everyday tasks, compared with what is typical for their age. It identifies strengths and difficulties and ends with a written plan. At Paramount Child Development Centre it is available at both the Jaipur and Sikar centres.
How long does a developmental assessment take?
Most assessments at Paramount CDC are completed in a single visit. You receive a plain-language explanation on the day and a written plan. Some children need a follow-up session or a specific test, such as a hearing check.
At what age can a child be assessed?
A child can be assessed at any age from infancy. Earlier is better for speech, motor and social difficulties, because young children respond well to early support. School-age children and teenagers are also assessed for attention, learning, behaviour and emotional concerns.
Can Paramount CDC diagnose autism?
Paramount CDC assesses your child’s developmental profile and starts therapy where it is needed. A formal autism diagnosis is made by a developmental paediatrician, child psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. We work alongside them and help you find one if you don’t have one yet.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for an assessment?
No referral is needed to book an assessment at Paramount CDC in Jaipur or Sikar. If you already have reports from a paediatrician or another specialist, bring them with you.
Is the assessment the same at the Jaipur and Sikar centres?
Yes. Both centres follow the same assessment approach and offer the same therapies, so choose the centre closer to home. Regular therapy is much easier to keep up when the journey is short.
Can I get an autism disability certificate from a private centre?
No. In India, autism disability certificates and UDID cards are issued by a government medical board after its own assessment using the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA). Reports from private centres can support your application.
How much does a child development assessment cost?
The fee depends on which areas your child needs assessed. Call +91 6376 345 510 for current fees at the Jaipur or Sikar centre.
Book a child development assessment in Jaipur or Sikar
One visit gives you either reassurance or a clear plan. Choose the centre closer to home.
Jaipur: 1st Floor, 10 Tonk Road, opposite BMW Showroom, Kailash Puri Colony, Durgapura, Jaipur 302015. Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 19:30.
Sikar: 2nd Floor, Savigo Tower (above Tanishq & LG Showroom), opposite Police Line, Silver Jubilee Road, Sikar 332001.
Book an assessmentCall or WhatsApp: +91 6376 345 510
This article is for general information and does not replace an individual assessment by a qualified professional. Certification rules and processes can change; check current requirements with your district’s authorised government hospital.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (AAP screening recommendations).
- Lipkin PH, Macias MM, et al. Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders Through Developmental Surveillance and Screening. Pediatrics, 2020.
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Guidelines for Evaluation and Assessment of Autism and Procedure for Certification, 2016.
- M-CHAT-R/F (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up).
- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. UDID / Swavlamban Card portal.
