Is Your Child Not Meeting Developmental Milestones or Showing Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties? This is a Guide on How to Choose the Right Professional for Your Child’s Developmental, Emotional, or Behavioral Needs.

Many parents and caregivers seek support for children who may not be meeting expected developmental milestones or who are facing challenges in learning, attention, or emotional and behavioral regulation. These concerns can show up as delays in speech, motor skills, or social interactions, as well as academic struggles, difficulty maintaining focus, impulsive behaviors, or emotional dysregulation. Such issues can impact a child’s development and daily functioning.

To address these varied concerns, child development and behavioral health professionals offer specialized assessments and interventions. Below is an overview of different types of professionals—Developmental Pediatricians, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, and Clinical Psychologists—along with their areas of expertise, to help you make an informed decision about which professional might best meet your child’s needs.

Note: This article is written in November 2024, and as such, the dates for appointments reflect the availability of the professional at the time of writing.

DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICIANS

What They Do: Developmental pediatricians specialize in assessing and managing developmental, behavioral, and learning issues in children. They often focus on early detection and intervention for conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and speech or language delays. These professionals use developmental assessments to identify areas where a child may need support and provide guidance on behavioral and educational interventions.

1. Dr. Cindy Chan Su Huay
   Location: Sunway Medical Centre
   Contact: +603-7491 9191
   • Consultation Rates:
     • 1st session: RM550 (1.5 hours)
     • Follow-up session (after 6 months): RM100 (30 minutes)
   • Services: Assesses autism, ADHD, and speech delays. Not focused on educational difficulties.
   • Availability: Currently only serving existing clients.
2. Dr. Raja Juanita bt. Raja Lope
   Location: Pantai Hospital
   Contact: +603-2296 0733 / +603-2296 0734
   • Consultation Rates:
     • 1st session: RM550 (1.5 hours)
     • Follow-up session (after 6 months): RM250 (30-45 minutes)
   • Availability: Next available appointment in July next year.
3. Dr. Rajini a/p Saravananthan
   Location: ParkCity Medical Centre
   Contact: +03-56391616
   • Consultation Rates:
     • 1st session: RM235 + RM15 registration fee
     • Follow-up session: RM105 + RM5 registration fee
   • Availability: Lead time is approximately 4.5 years

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRISTS

What They Do: Child and adolescent psychiatrists are medical doctors who focus on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions that impact a child’s emotional and behavioral health. They provide a range of interventions, including counseling, behavioral management, and medication management for conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression. These professionals are especially suited for cases where medication might be considered as part of the treatment plan.

1. Dr. Lim Wai Jenn
   Location: Sunway Medical Centre
   Contact: +603-7491 1086
   • Consultation Rates:
     • 1st session: RM300-350+
     • Follow-up session: RM105
   • Services: 1-hour initial assessments with follow-ups of 35-45 minutes.
   • Availability: Earliest appointment on November 18.
2. Dr. Tee Bee Chin
   Location: Sunway Medical Centre
   Contact: +603-7491 9191
   • Consultation Rates:
     • 1st session: RM250
     • Follow-up session: RM160 (excludes medication)
   • Additional Services: Assessments, if needed, cost RM250-300.
   • Availability: Earliest appointment on December 3.

CLINICAL PSYCOLOGISTS

What They Do: Clinical psychologists provide assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic treatment of mental health conditions. They provide psychological assessments that can identify learning disabilities, ADHD, and emotional or behavioral issues. Clinical psychologists often use evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help children develop coping strategies, improve social skills, and manage emotional challenges. They are a key resource when a comprehensive psychological evaluation or therapy is needed.

1. Bright Start Child and Adolescent Psychology
   Contact: 018-9677578
   
   • Consultation Rates:
     
     • 1st session: RM350 (90 – 120 minutes)
     • Follow-up session: RM290 (60 minutes)
   • Psychological Assessment: Up to RM3000 (includes parents consultation, assessments, report, and feedback)
   • Availability: Short wait, with potential next-day availability.
2. Kin & Kids Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy Center
   Contact: 018-6670902 / 019-3800902
   
   • Consultation Rates:
     
     • 1st session: RM390 – RM660+ (120 minutes)
     • Follow-up session: RM225 – RM365+ (50 minutes)
   • Psychological Assessment: RM3000 – RM4000+ (includes parents consultation, assessments, report, and feedback)
   • Availability: Waitlist until end of December.
3. Oasis Place
   Contact: 03-2276 9111 / 010 900 9673
   
   • Consultation Rate: RM310 per session
   • Assessment: Up to RM3000 (depending on tools used)
   • Appointment Process: Form submission via WhatsApp; assigned based on case and therapist availability.

WHY DO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS? WHY DOES IT COST MORE THAN CONSULTATIONS ALONE?
A psychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified psychologist to understand a child’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. These assessments are typically used to diagnose conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities, and other developmental concerns.

Psychological assessments often involve standardized tests, interviews, observations, and reports. Due to the use of specialized, evidence-based tools and the expertise required, these assessments generally incur a higher fee. This cost typically includes the full assessment process—parent consultation, standardized tests, a detailed psychoeducational report, and a feedback session to discuss findings and recommendations.

CLOSING NOTE
Ultimately, the choice of a child development and behavioral health professional depends on your child’s unique needs and the specific concerns you’d like addressed. Each professional listed above offers valuable expertise in different areas of child development and behavioral health. If you believe a clinical psychologist might be the best fit, consider reaching out to our partner psychology centre, Bright Start Child and Adolescent Psychology to schedule an appointment with their team.