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How
is developmental screening conducted?
- Obtain
parent consent
It is essential to obtain parent consent prior to conducting
a screen. To learn more about having thoughtful, sensitive
conversations with families, click
here
- Select
a tool
Recommended tools
There is a variety of screening tools that assess a child's
development.
As compared
with tools completed by health care professionals (i.e.,
Denver Developmental Inventory II), parent/primary caregiver-completed
instruments draw upon parents' extensive knowledge of their
child's behavior and development. Two well-validated parent-completed
developmental screening tools are the Ages and Stages Questionnaire
(ASQ) and the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status
(PEDS). The Child Development Review is typically completed
by a professional. All tools are brief, simply written,
easy to administer and score, and available in multiple
languages.
Ages
and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
Child
Development Review (CDR)
Parents'
Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS)
- Administer
the tool
Follow the tool's directions. For ASQ, select the appropriate
age interval. If using a parent-completed tool like ASQ
and PEDS, make sure parents can read and understand how
to complete the tool.
- Score
the tool
Use the forms provided, mark your responses, and score
as directed.
- Share
the results with families
Interpretation of the results is an important part of
the screening process. Screening can be an excellent parent-education
tool on child development in general and their child's development,
in particular. Parents may feel vulnerable, so be empathetic
and choose your words carefully.
- a.
For children with concerning screens
For children with concerning screens, additional assessments
are needed to determine each child's unique set of strengths
and needs. Birth
to 3 and Early
Childhood Special Education Programs
are available in every community. These programs
offer further assessment and appropriate supports and services
for eligible children.
b.
For children with reassuring screens
For
children with reassuring screens continue to offer regular,
repeat screening along with ongoing quality observations
of a child's development. The AAP recommends screening all
children using tools at ages 9-, 18-, and 30-months. Screening
of all children regardless of concern is called universal
screening.
Targeted
screening happens when screening is conducted because of
concerns about a child. Parents and child care teachers
have the opportunity to observe children in their care on
a daily basis. It is possible, for example, for a child
care teacher or a parent to notice when a child who is usually
outgoing is suddenly very quiet or subdued. Another example
would be a child who had been dry at night suddenly resumes
bed wetting.
If such
concerns arise they should be addressed promptly. Consider
conducting a screen to validate concerns or offer reassurance,
and offering guidance to parents about how to best support
the child.
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