**A Compassionate Guide to the Learning Disabilities Diagnostic Process**

Why Trust Cadabam' s CDC for Your Child’s Learning Disabilities Diagnosis?

Choosing the right pediatric diagnostic center is a critical decision. It’s about more than just getting an answer; it’s about finding a partner who understands your child and empowers your family. Here’s why families have trusted Cadabam's for over three decades.

A Multidisciplinary Team Offering a 360° Diagnostic Perspective

A single specialist can only see part of the picture. We employ a multidisciplinary diagnosis approach for learning-disabilities, bringing together a team of experts to conduct a holistic child developmental evaluation. This team includes developmental paediatricians, neurologists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and special educators. This collaborative method ensures every aspect of your child's development is considered, leading to a highly accurate and comprehensive diagnosis.

Child-Friendly Infrastructure for Accurate and Stress-Free Assessments

We know that a child who feels safe and comfortable is more likely to engage authentically during assessments. Our centers are designed to be warm, welcoming, and sensory-friendly. This child-centric environment minimizes stress and anxiety, allowing for a more accurate pediatric assessment and a positive experience for your child.

From Diagnosis to a Clear, Personalised Treatment Plan

Our work doesn't end with a diagnosis. We believe in providing a seamless transition from diagnosis and therapy planning. Once the evaluation is complete, our team collaborates with you to create a clear, actionable, and personalised therapy plan. This roadmap is designed to build on your child's strengths and address their specific challenges effectively.

Over 32+ Years of Specialised Expertise in Neurodevelopmental Care

Cadabam's has been a pioneer in mental health and neurodevelopmental care for over 32 years. Our Child Development Centre is built on this legacy of excellence, specialising in the diagnosis of developmental disorders and evidence-based interventions. Our deep experience means we understand the nuances of conditions and the importance of a compassionate, family-centered approach.

Recognising Early Signs of Learning Disabilities

The first step toward getting help is recognising that a challenge may exist. An early diagnosis of learning disabilities can dramatically improve long-term outcomes. While every child develops at their own pace, certain patterns may warrant a developmental screening for learning disabilities.

Developmental and Motor Delays

Keep an eye out for significant delays in reaching milestones like sitting, crawling, walking, or difficulties with fine motor skills such as holding a crayon, using scissors, or buttoning a shirt. These can be early indicators that warrant a pediatric evaluation.

Atypical Behaviours or Sensory Responses

This can include repetitive behaviours (rocking, hand-flapping), intense and narrow interests, or extreme reactions to sensory stimuli like loud noises, certain textures, or bright lights. Understanding how to identify developmental delays often involves observing these unique responses.

Speech, Feeding, or Communication Challenges

Noticeable delays in babbling, speaking first words, or forming sentences are key signs. Other challenges may include difficulty understanding instructions, not responding to their name, avoiding eye contact, or struggling with the give-and-take of a conversation.

Co-Occurring or Associated Difficulties

Children with learning disabilities may also exhibit difficulties with attention (ADHD), emotional regulation (anxiety, frustration), or social interaction. A comprehensive evaluation helps identify these overlapping conditions.

A Step-by-Step Look at the Diagnostic Process at Cadabam's CDC

We’ve refined our process to be thorough, transparent, and family-focused. Here’s how learning disabilities are diagnosed at our centre.

Step 1 - Initial Consultation and Developmental Screening

Your journey begins with an initial consultation where you meet with one of our specialists. We listen carefully to your concerns and conduct a preliminary neurodevelopmental screening. This helps us determine if a full child developmental evaluation is necessary.

Step 2 - Detailed Medical & Developmental History Review

Our team gathers a comprehensive history, including your child's medical records, birth history, developmental milestones, and family history. We also review reports from school and other therapists to build a complete picture.

Step 3 - Physical, Neurological & Behavioural Examination

A developmental paediatrician or neurologist conducts a thorough physical and neurological exam to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms. This includes assessing reflexes, muscle tone, and coordination.

Step 4 - Observational and Standardised Diagnostic Tests

This is a core part of the pediatric assessment. Our clinical psychologists and therapists use gold-standard, standardised diagnostic tests (like ADOS-2 for autism spectrum disorder) and structured clinical observations to evaluate communication, social interaction, behaviour, and cognitive skills.

Step 5 - Collaborative Diagnosis & Goal Setting with Families

Once all assessments are complete, our multidisciplinary team meets to discuss the findings and arrive at a consensus diagnosis. We then sit down with you to explain the results in clear, understandable language. This is a collaborative session where we set initial goals and outline the next steps for your child's early intervention assessment and therapy plan.

Understanding the Role of the DSM in Learning Disabilities Diagnosis

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), is the standard classification of mental and neurodevelopmental disorders used by clinicians in the U.S. and many other parts of the world.

Beyond the Primary Diagnosis: Understanding the Whole Child

A DSM diagnosis for learning disabilities provides specific criteria that a child must meet. However, our goal is not just to check boxes. We use the DSM-5 framework to understand the full spectrum of your child’s abilities and challenges, ensuring a holistic perspective.

Identifying Co-Occurring Conditions Using DSM-5 Criteria

The DSM-5 is crucial for identifying co-occurring conditions, which are common in children with learning and developmental disorders. An accurate diagnosis of conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or specific learning disorders (like dyslexia) ensures that all aspects of your child’s needs are addressed in their therapy plan.

Common Co-Occurring Conditions in learning-disabilities

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Speech and Language Disorders
• Intellectual Disability
• Specific Learning Disorders (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia)

The Power of a Unified, Collaborative Approach

Understanding the DSM diagnosis is a team effort. Our multidisciplinary experts work together to interpret the criteria in the context of your child’s unique presentation, ensuring the diagnosis is both accurate and useful for planning treatment.

Understanding the ICD Classification for Learning Disabilities

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the global standard for diagnostic health information, maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is used worldwide for health statistics, clinical care, and insurance purposes.

What an ICD Diagnosis Means for Families

An ICD diagnosis for learning-disabilities officially documents your child's condition in a way that is recognized globally. This can be essential for accessing school-based services, insurance coverage, and other forms of community support.

Key ICD-10 & ICD-11 Codes Explained

The ICD has evolved over time. While many systems still use ICD-10 codes for learning disabilities (e.g., F81 for Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills), the world is transitioning to the ICD-11 classification for learning disabilities. For example, in ICD-11, Developmental learning disorder is coded as 6A03. Our team is proficient in both systems.

The Benefits of ICD-11: A More Precise Picture

The ICD-11 offers more detail and flexibility, allowing for a more nuanced diagnosis. It better reflects the current scientific understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and improves the link between diagnosis and intervention.

How CadabamsCDC Ensures ICD Accuracy

Our clinicians are expertly trained in applying both ICD-10 and ICD-11 criteria. By cross-referencing with DSM-5 findings and our multidisciplinary evaluation, we ensure the final ICD diagnosis is precise, accurate, and serves the best interests of your child.

From Diagnosis to Development: Your Child’s Journey Forward

A diagnosis is the key that unlocks the door to targeted, effective support. It's where the journey of progress truly begins.

Early Intervention: The Critical Next Step

Research overwhelmingly shows that early intervention is the most effective way to support a child’s development and improve long-term outcomes. Following a diagnosis, we immediately focus on implementing a plan that capitalizes on your child's brain plasticity.

Customised Paediatric Therapy Plans

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your child’s diagnosis and therapy planning will be entirely unique, drawing from evidence-based therapies like Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), all tailored to their specific goals.

Family Coaching & Home-Based Support

You are the most important person in your child's life. We empower you with the knowledge and strategies to support your child’s development at home. Through family coaching and training, we make you a confident and capable partner in your child’s therapy.

Meet the Experts Behind the Diagnosis

Our strength lies in our people. The Cadabam' s CDC multidisciplinary diagnosis team is composed of leading professionals dedicated to child development.

Developmental Paediatricians & Neurologists

These medical doctors lead the diagnostic process, conducting physical and neurological examinations to rule out other causes and provide a comprehensive medical perspective on your child's development.

Occupational, Physiotherapists & Speech-Language Pathologists

Our therapists are experts in function and communication. They assess sensory processing, motor skills, play skills, and speech and language abilities to identify specific areas of need and design effective interventions.

Clinical Psychologists & Special Educators

Our psychologists administer and interpret standardised cognitive and behavioural tests, while our special educators provide insight into your child's learning style and academic needs, ensuring the therapy plan is practical and effective in real-world settings.

Expert Quotes & Insights

"A diagnosis is not a definition of a child, but a direction for their support. Our goal is to provide that direction with clarity and compassion, empowering families to move forward with confidence." - [Name of a Lead Clinician, e.g., Dr. Anjali Sharma], Head of Developmental Paediatrics at Cadabam' s CDC.

Real-Life Journeys: From Diagnosis to Progress

Every child’s journey is unique. Here are stories of how a clear diagnosis transformed the lives of families at Cadabam' s CDC.

Case Study 1 - Early Diagnosis and Improved Outcomes

Four-year-old Rohan was non-verbal and had intense sensory sensitivities. His parents were worried about Autism. After a comprehensive evaluation, the team confirmed an ASD diagnosis but also identified a significant motor planning disorder. The targeted therapy plan, combining Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, helped Rohan begin communicating with a picture system within three months and better regulate his sensory needs.

Case Study 2 - A Path from Confusion to Clarity

Priya, age 7, was struggling at school. She was labelled "lazy" and "distracted." Her parents suspected ADHD. Our pediatric assessment revealed that while Priya did have some attention challenges, the root cause was a severe Specific Learning Disorder (dyslexia). This new understanding shifted the focus from behaviour management to targeted reading intervention, transforming her school experience and self-esteem.

Family Testimonial - “Diagnosis Was the Beginning, Not the End”

“Before coming to Cadabam' s CDC, we were lost. We had a list of symptoms but no answers. The team here didn’t just give us a diagnosis; they gave us a plan, a community, and hope. They taught us how to understand our daughter’s world and how to help her thrive in it. The diagnosis wasn’t the end of our story; it was the beginning of her progress.” - Parent of a 6-year-old client.