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MRCPCH Clinical: Development

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Assessment of Social development and interaction » Essays
Role: ST4 paediatrics. Setting: Child development centre. You are talking to Susan and her father Andrew. Task: Susan is 18months old. She was born at term following a normal pregnancy. At the age of 2 months she had meningitis. She is under the care of a hospital paediatrician who has referred her to you clinic to assess her development. Please assess her social skills and interaction. Please take a few minutes to do this exercise before proceeding to the answer and video.
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Social and interaction 9-18months
Between 9 and 18months, children continue to gain and mature their social skills. These can be assessed by looking at a child’s behaviour when around strangers, during meal times, when playing with others, sleeping, toileting, dressing and undressing.

Introduce yourself to Susan and her father. State the aim of your examination and obtain consent.
Test for object permanence. ( wrap some paper to make a ball. Ensure that Susan has seen it and the hide it say under a book and see if she can find it.)
Engage Susan into some form of play. Can the child clap hands? Can he/she  play peek-a boo, or wave  bye.

Get information from her father regarding meal times, sleeping, toileting, dressing and undressing. Does she imitate common daily activities like hovering the floor?

You should also get information regarding her nteraction with other children/adults.

The following are expected for children between 9  and 18 months
9months
Can chew on finger food
Stranger awareness
Imitates clapping and can play peek-a-boo
Has object permanence- can find hidden object


12 months
Drinks from a cup with assistance
Tries to feed using a spoon
Helps with dressing
Waves bye


18months
Can feed using a spoon
Holds cup with both hands
Takes off shoes and socks
Indicates toilet needs
Imitates simple everyday activities