Question 1

What does a paediatrician do?

Accepted Answer

Paediatricians are doctors who specialise in the health and development of infants, children, and adolescents. They diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of medical, developmental, and behavioural conditions, ensuring that children receive the care they need to thrive.

We believe the best outcomes for children come from a strong partnership between family and paediatrician. Dr. Alyce is dedicated to understanding each child’s unique needs and working closely with you to create a personalized care plan that supports your child’s growth, development, and health. We offer a broad range of paediatric care, with a special focus on developmental and community paediatrics.

This includes:
 • Developmental and behavioural concerns: Assessment and support for a wide range of developmental challenges, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, behavioural difficulties, and global developmental delay.
 • Attentional and learning difficulties: Expert assessment and management of ADHD, learning difficulties, and related behavioural or cognitive concerns.
 • Sleep disorders: Comprehensive care for sleep onset difficulties, night waking, and other paediatric sleep challenges.
 • Nutrition and growth: Support for issues like failure to thrive, weight concerns, oral aversion, and feeding difficulties.
 • Baby and infant concerns: Comprehensive care for unsettled babies, crying, feeding issues, poor growth, and early developmental concerns.
 • Skin conditions: Care for eczema, birthmarks, and other common paediatric skin conditions.
 • Neurological concerns: Support for conditions such as headaches, cerebral palsy, and other neurological concerns.
 • Respiratory Health: Management of chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma, persistent cough, and other ongoing breathing difficulties.
 • Digestive Health: Care for a range of digestive concerns, including reflux, food sensitivities, and gastrointestinal conditions.
 • Continence issues: Solutions for bedwetting, constipation, and other continence-related concerns.

Question 2

What should I expect at my child’s appointment?

Accepted Answer

At Albert Street Paediatrics, we understand that paediatric assessments are often a process that unfolds over multiple visits. Every child is unique, and a comprehensive, step-by-step approach ensures we gather the full picture of your child’s health and development.

Comprehensive History and Detailed Examination
The first step in any paediatric assessment is a thorough history and detailed physical examination. We take the time to understand your child’s medical history, developmental milestones, and any specific concerns you have. This is a vital part of the process, as it helps us identify areas that may require further investigation or attention. We also consider the family history, as certain conditions can have genetic or environmental factors that influence your childs health.

In-Office Assessment and Developmental Observations
During the consultation, Dr. Alyce Horstman will conduct in-office assessments, which may include a series of developmental observations, physical examinations, and behavioural assessments. These observations help us understand how your child is interacting with their environment, their developmental stage, and whether any delays or concerns are present.

Referral for Additional Tests or Assessments
If further investigation is required, we may recommend additional testing or assessments. This could include blood tests, imaging, subspecialist opinion/ review or more specialized developmental assessments. We work closely with a range of diagnostic services to ensure any necessary evaluations are completed. Dr Alyce also continues her work at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital so is able to recommend and refer to many paediatric subspecialists.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration
In many cases, paediatric care benefits from the expertise of other healthcare professionals. Dr. Alyce Horstman coordinates and collaborates with a range of specialists to ensure your child receives the best possible care. Depending on your child’s needs, we may recommend or refer you to the following professionals:
 • Psychologists: For assessments related to behavioural, emotional, or cognitive concerns, such as ADHD, anxiety, or developmental delays.
 • Occupational Therapists: For help with fine motor skills, sensory processing issues, and daily functioning challenges.
 • Physiotherapists: For physical development, motor skills, and musculoskeletal concerns, particularly if there are issues with coordination or strength.
 • Educational Therapists: To support learning difficulties, school-related challenges, and cognitive development in the academic setting.
 • Speech Pathologists: For language development, speech delays, and communication difficulties.
 • Dietitians: For nutritional assessments, growth concerns, and feeding difficulties, especially in cases of food sensitivities or failure to thrive.

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of your child’s health and development are carefully considered and supported. By collaborating with trusted professionals, we can offer a more holistic approach to your child’s care, ensuring they receive well-rounded support.

Question 3

What should I do to prepare for the appointment?

Accepted Answer

We understand that attending a paediatrician appointment can feel overwhelming, and we want to make the experience as smooth and comfortable as possible for you and your child. Dr. Alyce Horstman is flexible, adaptive, and experienced in working with children of all ages, ensuring a supportive and reassuring environment.

What to Bring
To help us gain a complete picture of your child’s health and development, please bring:

• The Green Book (My Health, Learning and Development Record – Victoria) or equivalent health record.
 • Your questions and concerns – Write down any issues you’d like to discuss, including symptoms, behaviours, developmental concerns, or school-related challenges.
 • Reports from other healthcare professionals, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, or previous paediatric assessments.
 • Any relevant school, kinder or daycare reports, including teacher feedback, learning support plans, or observations of your child’s behaviour and development in different settings.

Planning for the Appointment
We recognise that medical visits can sometimes be stressful, and we do our best to ensure both children and families feel at ease. To help prepare:

• Explain the visit to your child in simple, reassuring terms (e.g., We’re going to see a doctor who helps kids grow and feel their best.
 • Bring a favourite toy, book, or comfort item to help your child feel secure.
 • Headphones or a device can be helpful if your child finds waiting rooms or medical environments overwhelming.
 • If your child struggles with new environments, let us know ahead of time so we can adapt the visit to their needs.

Bringing Another Adult
If possible, consider bringing another trusted adult with you. This can be helpful if:

• The appointment is long, and extra support may be needed.
 • There are sensitive topics to discuss, and you prefer your child not to hear certain information.
 • You need assistance remembering details, asking questions, or managing other children during the visit.
 • If possible, arrange childcare for siblings to allow you to focus on the appointment (we understand this isn’t always possible!)
 • We’re here to support your family at every step. If you have any specific needs or concerns before your appointment, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Question 4

How long will my child’s appointment take?

Accepted Answer

The length of your child’s appointment will depend on the reason for the visit and the complexity of their needs.

• Initial Appointments: These are typically 45–60 minutes to allow for a comprehensive history, assessment, and discussion of any concerns. This ensures we have enough time to understand your child’s health, development, and any challenges they may be experiencing.
 • Follow-Up Appointments: These are generally 20–30 minutes, focusing on reviewing progress, discussing test results, adjusting management plans, and addressing any new concerns.
 • Specialist or Multidisciplinary Appointments: If additional assessments or a more detailed developmental evaluation are required, longer appointments may be needed.

We do our best to keep appointments running on time, but paediatric consultations can sometimes be unpredictable. If a previous appointment runs longer than expected, we appreciate your patience and understanding.

Question 5

What happens after the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Following your child’s appointment, we will provide a clear plan for the next steps:

Follow-up appointments
In most cases, an initial consultation will have a follow up appointment in the weeks following. This allows us to review progress, assess any changes, and adjust the management plan as needed. Some children may require more frequent follow-ups, while others may be seen less often depending on their needs.

Clinic letter
A detailed letter summarizing the consultation, assessment findings, and recommendations will be sent to both you and your child’s GP. This ensures continuity of care and helps guide any further management outside of the clinic.

Referrals to subspecialists or allied health providers
If needed, we will arrange referrals to professionals such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, dietitians, or paediatric subspecialists. These referrals support a comprehensive approach to your child’s care.

Liaison with schools and other providers involved in your child’s care
With your consent (we will ask you to sign a written consent form), we can communicate with educators, early childhood providers, or other healthcare professionals involved in your child’s care. This helps ensure that support strategies are aligned across different settings.

Further investigations
If additional assessments, blood tests, imaging, or other investigations are required, we will provide instructions on how to arrange these and discuss the expected timeline for results.

If you have any questions between appointments, we encourage you to reach out. We are here to support your child’s health and development every step of the way.

Question 6

What if my child is on a waitlist?

Accepted Answer

While waiting for your child’s appointment, we recommend:

• Vision and hearing assessments – Issues with sight or hearing can impact behaviour and learning.
 • Observations from school, daycare, or kindergarten – Teachers and caregivers can provide valuable insights into your child’s development.
 • Engaging with allied health professionals – Early intervention with speech therapy, occupational therapy, or psychology can be beneficial. Your child may be eligible for support through the NDIS if they are aged under 9 years. Families are able to self refer. In Gippsland, the Early Childhood Partner is Link HC, details can be found at: https://www.linkhc.org.au/ndis-early-childhood-early-intervention/ (https://www.linkhc.org.au/ndis-early-childhood-early-intervention/)
 • Maintaining a symptom diary – Tracking your child’s behaviour, sleep patterns, or dietary habits can help guide our assessment.
 • Continue regular visits with your GP

Question 7

What resources can I access for information about my child’s health and development?

Accepted Answer

There are many resources available to help families navigate their child’s health and development:

• Raising Children Network (https://raisingchildren.net.au/)(https://raisingchildren.net.au/) – Trusted information on child health, development, and parenting.
 • Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) (https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/)(https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/) – Support and resources for families of children with autism.
 • ADHD Australia (https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/)(https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/) – Information on ADHD assessment, treatment, and support.
 • Better Health Channel (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/)(https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/) – General health information and advice for families.
 • The Royal Children’s Hospital Kids Health Info (https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/)(https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/) – Reliable paediatric health information.

A comprehensive list of supports, websites and services can be found in the ‘Resources’ section of the website.

Personalised, comprehensive care for your child