DA Blues

Developmental assessment (DA) has always been a crucial part of learning in paediatrics. You will never be complete in paediatrics if you do not know about DA. It is single most frequent task to be asked during our short case examination. Even a post-graduate student can fail their final clinical exam when they fail this DA.

DA is easier said than done. It requires the full cooperation with the child. If the child mood is not good, you can imagine what will happen then. It is like a minefield waiting to be stepped on. If the child cries, we won't be able to finish the assessment, hence the examiner will penalized us.

This week, I was at home for my Chinese New Year break. Exam is scheduled to be next week, so there are a lot of things to practice. Naturally, my nephew is the good practice candidates. He is about 3 years old, very cute and active little chap. Now he loves scribbling and drawing and he kept a book for his drawings. Mostly were pointless scribbles, but there was a page that caught my attention...

At 3, he was drawing a man already! The features of his 'man' are a big round head,with 2 eyes, a nose and a mouth. The torso and limbs are sticks. What amused me is that he must add in a 'penis' in every man that he drew! The reason? The man need to pee!

Drawing a man is usually started at 5 years old. There is always give and take in assessing the developmental status. DA has four parts: Gross motor functions, fine motor functions, visual and speech and social behaviours. Some children has slower aspect of certain developmental status than others, but eventually most will catch up. Most importantly is adequate stimulations from the parents and caregivers.

At this point of time, he is able to speak 2 languages fluently, which is mandarin and malay, thanks to the maid. Stimulations from the start will ensure a good developmental status! Keep on stimulating, guys!