Developmental Screening in Preschool

Screening Preschoolers for Developmental Delays

Apr 28, 2009

Developmental screening in preschool provides developmental insights, promotes parental awareness and collaboration, and supports early identification and intervention

Screening is the process of searching for health issues among a population of seemingly healthy people.

Developmental screening is a procedure designed to identify children who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis for potential developmental delays [National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, 2005].

Developmental screening promotes the screening and identification of developmental or behavioral problems in children age 3-5 years.

The Purpose of Developmental Screening for Preschoolers

Celia Ayala, the COO of Los Angeles Universal Preschool, explains that there are a number of benefits of administering developmental screening in preschools:

Developmental screening allows the ability to receive a snapshot of a child’s development. For young children, a child’s development and progress is typically measured within developmental domains which include:

“Developmental milestones are skills that children acquire within a specific timeframe, normally determined by the age and stage of the child. Developmental screening allows providers and parents to understand how and within which area their child is developing,” explains Ayala [Interview, April 2009].

Developmental screening may be used to increase a parent’s knowledge and understanding of child development in general, as well as encourage and support ongoing discussion between a provider and parents about how their child is progressing and acquiring skills.

Screening is the first step in determining whether or not the child may have some developmental or physical delay or difficulty that could impede their learning or growth. The purpose of early identification is to screen, assess, and finally identify children with concerns or delay. This allows resources and support to be supplied early on so as to mitigate the effects of these delays. Early identification and intervention also ensures optimal health and development of children.

Do All Preschoolers Get Screened?

Not all children are evaluated. A preschooler will usually undergo a screening when there is some concern regarding her development. “Typically, parents notice that their child is not walking by a certain age or that their language is not developing appropriately. In addition, preschools and daycares will recommend to a parent that their child be screened due to concerns about language, behavior, or socialization,” says Dr.Pio Andreotti, NYS Licensed Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Clinical Supervisor for the Stanley S. Lamm Institute Preschool at Long Island College Hospital [Interview, April 2009]

Studies have shown that only 50% of developmental delays are detected prior to school entry [Journal of Family Practice, 2006]. “One of the problems with developmental screening is that there is no standardized assessment process, leaving each community, state or province to determine their own methods. Sweden is quite advanced, requiring monthly physician visits from 0-18 months,” says Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist, sensory specialist, and CEO of Zone’in Programs Inc. [Interview, April 2009].

If childcare providers notice that a child in their care aged 3 to 5 is talking, behaving, remembering, or thinking a little differently from other children of the same age, it is advisable to consult a health care practitioner to properly screen the child for developmental delays. This may help identify problems in behavior, child development, and school progress.

Hamilton S. Screening for developmental delay: Reliable, easy-to-use tools. Journal of Family Practice. 2006; 55 (5): 416-422.

The copyright of the article Developmental Screening in Preschool in Day Care is owned by Carla Snuggs. Permission to republish Developmental Screening in Preschool in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.