Toddler Track: Streamlining Developmental Assessments—A Retrospective Cohort Study

AIMS: To design, implement and evaluate a novel model of care, Toddler Track Model (TTM), at a specialist outpatient developmental assessment service to determine whether the model: (1) reduced wait times to access the service; (2) reduced length of time to complete developmental assessment; (3) resulted in any change to the formulation of developmental profiles. METHODS: TTM utilised a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework to redesign service delivery. Children aged 18 months to 3 years 11 months were triaged into one of four streams based on clinical information, with tailored pathways involving allied health and paediatrician input. Outcomes were measured through a retrospective chart audit, comparing key time points and service metrics before and after implementation of TTM. RESULTS: The average time from initial clinical session (ICS) to diagnostic formulation decreased from 116 to 63 days (p < 0.001), with statistically significant reductions observed at all measured service time points. The number of children assessed in 2024 increased substantially (n = 132). Importantly, diagnostic outcomes did not differ between cohorts, indicating no change in clinical formulation. Service-wide wait times declined by 61.5%, with 68% of this reduction estimated to be associated with TTM. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that TTM is a novel model of care for children aged 18 months to 3 years 11 months. Its implementation successfully reduced wait times and assessment duration while increasing service capacity, without altering diagnostic outcomes or clinical practice standards.