Overview
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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention content is free and public domain.
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