Child Development Centre
Welcome to the Child Development Centre (CDC). CDC is the name of the Disability Team within Women’s and Children’s Service, at Waikato Hospital.
Who are we
Our team at CDC consists of,
- Administration staff
- Psychologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Visiting Physiotherapists and occupational therapists
- Speech Language Therapists
- Social Worker
- Cultural Support Worker (Kaitiaki)
- Autism Coordinators
- Developmental Paediatricians
- Paediatric Registrars
- Manager
How we help
We provide diagnostic assessments, home safety adaptation, equipment modification services, and visiting therapist services for children diagnosed with or at risk of a disability. We also provide specialised services such as a splinting, orthopaedic physiotherapy, premature baby and soiling clinics.
The CDC diagnostic assessment clinicians assess and help children with or who are suspected of having a developmental disability and will be eligible for Whaikaha funded disability support. These are
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Intellectual Disability
- Gobal Developmental Delay
We may also refer children on to a neurodevelopmental paediatrician at CDC if there are medical needs alongside disability needs.
We offer autism coordination service to those who have been diagnosed with autism, by helping families access information, supports, and other services through their links in the community.
We offer social worker support to help families of disabled tamariki/rangatahi navigate their journey including supportive counselling by linking families to practical services available within our community.
Our Kaitiaki also offers cultural support to Māori tangata whai ora and their whanau.
Who do we help
We predominantly see children and young people 0 to 15 years of age, identified as having a physical, intellectual or sensory disability (or a combination of these) that is
- likely to continue for a minimum of six months and those children and young people who are at risk of developing such a disability
- need ongoing support to live independently, to the extent that ongoing support is required.
Our service is available for all New Zealand citizens or those who are entitled to publicly funded healthcare.
Our autism coordination service is available to any child or young person aged 0-19 years, diagnosed with only autism, or autism with a Global Developmental Delay (GDD).
Our general exclusions are a child or young person
- who has short-term acute illness and is expected to return to their former level of wellness or function
- who requires palliative care and is terminally ill
- who have an acute need
- whose parents have not consented and do not understand the reason for referral
- who has an isolated or specific mental health condition eg. ADHD, ADD, or severe anxiety and seeking diagnosis for this condition
- who has isolated speech and language concerns or isolated sensory processing difficulties and seeking a diagnosis
Each service we offer has specific eligibility requirements. For any inquiries, kindly reach out to us via email.
Where can you find us
Level 1 (via lifts)
222 Pembroke Street
Waikato Hospital
Hamilton
There is limited patient parking around the CDC building. There are 4 spaces available for use around the building including a disability parking space, but we cannot guarantee they will be available when you visit.
Please use patient car park buildings and make sure you allow for additional time to park when coming to your appointment.
There is also a bus service available through Busit
How to contact us
Phone: 07 839 8709
Email: CDCAdmin@Waikatodhb.health.nz
Key personnel
Sumaiya Khan - Manager
Naomi Knight - Operation Manager
Referrals to the Child Development Centre (CDC) can be sent by GPs, Tamariki Ora/Well Child services (e.g. Whānau Āwhina Plunket), early childhood centres, schools via special education needs coordinator (SEN CO), resource teachers for learning and behaviour (RTLBs), Ministry of Education special education and other educational and health professionals, as well as community/welfare agencies.
All referrals require parental consent for the child to have their diagnostic assessment at CDC and for CDC to contact educational providers.
It is helpful for referrals to be supported by developmental information from the parent.
Please contact CDC if there are any problems with getting the school to provide this information. It is also important to keep us updated with any change to patient address or contacts.
Referral process
All our referrals are received by the Referral Coordinator Centre at Te Whatu Ora in Waikato.
Post
Referral Coordination Centre
Waikato Hospital
Private Bag 3200
Hamilton 3240
Referrals for clinic assessments are reviewed by our multidisciplinary team of clinicians. Referrals are either
- Accepted: Sufficient information and meets criteria. Referral placed on a waitlist.
- Declined: Does not meet criteria or information not provided. Decline letter sent to the referrer and family. Further information requested or we will attempt to provide alternative suggestions or advice to the referrer.
- Redirected: Does not meet CDC criteria but identified for a more appropriate service within Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand. Referral forwarded and advice letter sent to the referrer and family.