the 4 year old assessment???

[1pj]

I was just wandering if anyone could fill me in a little on the 4 year old assessment?My daughter turned 4 in Feb and the doctor and Govt have been on about her having to have an assessment or our family tax benefit could be terminated etc and I just wandered what sort of things they ask and check?Thanks in advance

[Lily Dust]

Hi 1pj

I havent been with DD yet, am looking into it shortly but a friend took her DS several months back. Some of the things that the Dr went over with him were a physical check, stacking blocks, pointing to pictures as requested, eye sight, drawing of pictures etc. She didnt think it was intense and certainly not like a 'test' just everyday kind of things that a child would do.

HTH

[Arcadia]

The mchn weighs and measures, checks vision, comprehension and some simple eye have coordination.

Dd liked it. She basically was asked to draw a picture, play with blocks and wear sunglasses with only one eye covered to check each eye.

Nothing to stress about.

[Snacks]

I think it's really valuable in terms of getting some feedback on basic developmental skills. You don't necessarily have to act on their advice but they may recommend services that can assist with coordination, speech, vision etc. Worth doing IMO. I'll be taking DD2 soon.

[AndiE]

We got a dirty letter from the govt advising our childcare rebate would be axed if we didn't get DS1 vacc'd and have his assessment done. The letter came approx 6 weeks after he turned 4 - I kid you not. I was livid, as the only reasons he hadn't been for his vac/assessment was we'd been on holidays and then he'd been sick.
Anyway, I digress ...

It must depend which GP and/or clinic you go to. DS1 was checked by the GP and had his vaccinations, then we were told to take him to an optometrist for his eye test (bulk billed), and THEN we had to go back to the GP clinic so the nurse could give him the once over re: milestone check, measurements, questions for me re: toilet training, colour recognition etc. It was quite a rigamarole, and from my perspective quite unecessary. However, the nurse said it was to try and "catch" some kids before they hit primary school - ie/ the ones not toilet trained (daytime) or had any other issues, so that they could get help/guidance before starting school.'