Children acquire new skills and behaviour patterns from birth to their teens and onwards through life. Child development specialists assess the stage of development reached in each of five areas:

• Motor development which includes growth and limb coordination.
• Social development - the way the child interacts with other people and learns social behaviour that is the norm for his or her environment.
• Hearing and language - the development of the ability to communicate verbally and to learn the language of the family and of the local community.
• Eye-hand coordination - the ability to use the eye and hand to conduct precise movements required for daily tasks and handwriting.
• Practical reasoning - the ability to use intelligence for such tasks as counting and puzzles, comparing words and understanding the meaning of words.
  

Dr Rundle is consulted by parents when there are concerns about the progress of a child in any one or more of these areas.