What is developmental screening?
Developmental screening is a procedure designed to identify children
who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis, for
potential developmental delays. It can allow for earlier detection
of delays and improve child health and well-being for identified
children.
Why is developmental screening important?
Many children with behavioral or developmental disabilities are
missing vital opportunities for early detection and intervention.
Many children with developmental delays are not being identified
early.
In the United States, 17% of children have a developmental or
behavioral disability such as autism, mental retardation, and
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In addition, many children
have delays in language or other areas, which also impact school
readiness. However, less than 50% of these children are identified
as having a problem before starting school, by which time
significant delays may have already occurred and opportunities for
treatment have been missed.
Early identification and intervention for children with
developmental delays is mandated. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of
1990 to 1997 require states to provide early identification and
provision of services to infants and toddlers with 1) developmental
delays, 2) established conditions that are associated with
developmental delays, and, 3) at the state’s option, children at
risk for developmental delays. States that do not serve the at-risk
population are encouraged to track and monitor these children’s
development, so that they may be referred in the future if needed.
IDEA also mandates that states refer children, free of charge, for a
comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation by a team who, with the
family, decides on which services are needed for the child (via the
Individualized Family Service Plan). Furthermore, it mandates states
to implement coordinated, family-centered, and culturally competent
community-based systems of care, to provide early intervention
services for children identified with developmental problems.
The
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, lists early
intervention programs by state and provides their contact
information for interested parents and professionals.
Parents are interested in knowing more about their child’s
development and pediatric practitioners need to be better prepared
for this.
Recent surveys indicate that parents want information and guidance
from their health care provider about their child’s development.
However, studies sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics
show that about 65% of pediatricians feel inadequately trained in
assessing children’s developmental status.
Who provides developmental screening services?
Developmental screening can be done by various professionals in
healthcare, community, or school settings. The role of health
professionals has become particularly important, because of the
greater emphasis placed on early identification of children with
delays. Through well-child visits, health professionals have regular
contact with children 0 to 3 years-of-age, allowing them an
opportunity to monitor development through periodic developmental
screening. This has led healthcare professional organizations, such
as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy
of Neurology, to recommend that all infants and young children be
screened for developmental delays periodically in the context of
office-based primary care.
