Developmental history
A long conversation about your child's early years, from pregnancy and birth to first words and first steps. It is a normal part of most assessments.
Applies across the UK
Near the start of an assessment, a specialist will usually take a developmental history: a structured conversation about pregnancy, birth, milestones like walking and talking, early play, sleep, feeding and how your child got on at nursery and school. It can feel like a memory test years after the event, and it is fine to say you do not remember.
It is also the one appointment you can genuinely prepare for. Your child's red book, nursery and school reports, old photos and videos, and anything you wrote down at the time all help. What you can recall here becomes part of the evidence, so a little preparation goes a long way.
Related words
Where this comes from
- ADHD in children and young people , NHS. Checked 2026-08-14.
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