Dr Joanne Balfe is a Consultant in Neurodisability and works within the Child Development & Neurodisability Service at Children's Health Ireland.
Child Development & Neurodisability Neurodisability is the field of medicine concerning the management of children and young people with disabilities relating from a health condition that they were born with (congenital) or that they developed over time (acquired).
Our team of paediatricians, specialist nurses, and administrative support provide medical care for children with developmental disorders and disabilities.
All clinics in our department are consultant led with support from team doctors and nurses. The appointment will include a medical history and examination. Further investigations e.g. blood test or x-rays may be completed.
Referrals
We accept referrals from any healthcare professional who has assessed a child, including GPs, community medical doctors, and therapists.
It is important that any assessment reports or letters from other doctors or healthcare professionals are sent to us along with the referral.
What type of referrals are appropriate • Children with complex medical needs related to their disability • Children presenting with significant developmental difficulties within the first two years. The referrer should also refer to local Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) as this is the service responsible for providing early intervention • Children with an established neurodevelopmental diagnosis (e.g. Autism, intellectual disability), many of whom require a paediatric assessment • Children with neurodevelopmental disorders presenting with medical comorbidities (e.g. epilepsy, feeding disorders, sleep difficulties) • Children with established neurodevelopmental disorders where continuing medical surveillance is necessary (e.g. Rett syndrome, Down syndrome) • Children who are Deaf/hard of hearing are referred from audiological services for investigation
Where to direct inappropriate referrals • Children presenting with isolated speech and language delay should be referred to Primary Care speech and language therapy (SLT) • Children for whom there are concerns regarding behaviour including ADHD should be referred to their local Primary Care Psychology service or CAMHS • School children with a specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) should be assessed through NEPS • Children in whom there are concerns regarding dyspraxia/DCD who have not already been seen by an Occupational Therapist should be referred to Primary Care OT • Children in whom there are concerns regarding head size/shape, growth or constipation should be referred directly to general paediatrics.
Dr Joanne Balfe, MB, BAO, BCh, FRCPI, FFPAED, is a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in developmental paediatrics and neurodisability. Dr Balfe trained in Ireland and the UK. Dr Balfe has worked in CHI at Tallaght and LauraLynn Children’s Hospice since 2009. She runs developmental clinics in CHI at Tallaght and is the lead paediatrician in the clinic for Children with Down Syndrome. Dr Balfe has a special interest in child development, the care of children with medical complexity and palliative care needs and children with Down Syndrome. She has an MSc in Medical Law and ethics and lectures on ethical decision-making in children with complex medical needs.
Sonraí Teagmhála
CHI at Tallaght
Sonraí
Grainne Power, Secretary to: Dr. Balfe Direct Line: (01) 414 4823
