Developmental screening in preschools is designed to identify children who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis for potential developmental delays. Developmental screening promotes the screening and identification of developmental or behavioral problems in children age 3-5 years.
In screening for developmental delay, preschoolers are given a variety of developmental screening tests. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children who are identified as having a delay in a developmental domain typically qualify for special education services. These services vary and are determined by the child’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP).
“Services can range from no services, to ‘Related Services Only’ (i.e., no special class placement but the child receives speech or occupational or physical or play therapy), to placement in a special class”, says Dr. Pio Andreotti, New York neuropsychologist [Interview, April 2009].
A child may be provided a therapist to address any specific need that they may have. For example, children will be referred to a Speech-Language Pathologist for language difficulties or an Occupational Therapist for fine-motor and/or sensory-integration issues.
Support for Developmental Delay
The type of special services and intervention a child may need varies based on the diagnoses. “Typically, if a child’s screening results yields positive, they are either referred to their local school district (for development issues), their medical provider (for physical issues) or another type of intervention center for further assessment,” says Celia Ayala, the COO of Los Angeles Universal Preschool. Once assessed, that entity provides resources, referrals and recommendations for the child’s support.
Ayala provides a few examples for special services and intervention:
- Speech and Language Development Support: The child may need additional support from a Speech Therapist who would dedicate time on a regular basis to work with the child’s language development or pronunciation.
- Sensory Needs Support: If a child is autistic and may have very strong sensitivities to touch and sound, an Occupational Therapist may be referred to work with the child and help process different sensations in a way that does not agitate him or her.
- Medical Support: If a child is found to have severe asthma, he or she would likely be referred to the primary care physician and/or a medical home, wherein the child could receive appropriate services and medication.
Developmental Delay Specialists
Children will usually see a pediatrician and then be referred on to other specialists depending on the area of impairment, such as genetics, orthopedics, neurology, gastroenterology, physiatry (rehabilitation), or ophthalmology.
Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist, sensory specialist, and CEO of Zone’in Programs, Inc. describes the role of therapists in treating developmental delay:
- Physical Therapists: Treatment sessions might be one to one or group based, performed in a hospital, child development center, preschool or school, private clinic, or community gym settings, and might consist of education and a variety of exercises to improve muscle strength, reduce or increase muscle tone, improve bilateral coordination, and improve overall endurance.
- Occupational therapists: Treatment sessions might be one to one or group-based, performed in a hospital, child development center, preschool, or private clinic, and might consist of education regarding environmental modifications, prescription of equipment, or instruction in use of sensory or motor tools or techniques.
- Speech and Language Therapists: Treatment sessions might be one to one or group based, performed in a hospital, child development center, preschool, or private clinic, and might consist of parent and child instruction and training of a variety of expressive and receptive language acquisition techniques.
Developmental screening in preschool provides developmental insights, promotes parental awareness and collaboration, and supports early identification and intervention. The support and intervention provided by specialists can help children develop and improve their physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social skills.
Resources:
Andreotti, Pio [Interview, April 2009]
Ayala, Celia [Interview, April 2009]
Rowan, Chris. [Interview, April, 2009]
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