Comprehensive Developmental Screening

 

Child development refers to the process in which children go through changes in skill development during predictable time periods, called developmental milestones. The optimal development of children is vital and in order to achieve that we need to understand the social, cognitive, emotional, and educational development of children. Therefore, timely identification of developmental disorders is critical to the well-being of the child and family. It is an essential function of the primary health care and imperative responsibility of all paediatric health care professionals.


Developmental delays can occur in some or all areas of development. Additionally, growth in each area of development is related to growth in the other areas. So if there is a difficulty in one area (e.g.,  speech and language), it is likely to influence development in other areas (e.g., social and emotional).


Developmental Screening is a “brief assessment procedure designed to identify children who should receive more intensive diagnosis or assessment.” Developmental screening is aimed at identifying children who may need more comprehensive evaluation. It allows for earlier detection of delays and improves child health and well-being for identified children.


According to the AAP (American Association of Paediatrics) Statement 2006, all infants and young children from birth to 3 years should be screened for developmental delays. Screening procedures should be integral to the ongoing health care of the child.


Developmental screening is a quick and general measurement of skills. Its purpose is to identify children who are in need of further evaluation. A screening test can be in one of two formats, either a questionnaire that is handed to a parent or childcare provider that asks about developmental milestones or a test (non-intrusive) that is given to your child by a health or educational professional.


At Romasis, this evaluation is done by highly trained professionals and standardized screening tools are used at selective age intervals.


At every age period, age-specific standardised tests (psychological, physical and developmental) are administered, on the basis of which any delay or deviation in the overall development of the child can be identified. Based on these interpretations and results, the child may be called for therapy, given some home program or called for the follow up at the next visit.


At Romasis’ the program is aimed for zeroing-in on a definitive diagnosis, development of an interdisciplinary comprehensive plan of remediation, realization that there is no significant problem, or a decision that additional observation is warranted.


The screening process helps in not only understanding the delays in physical development of a child but also delays in cognitive, emotional and social skills. From the age of 3 months a child starts displaying these skills. At each age milestone the child is measured on the skills developed and delays if any. Activities are planned to enhance these skills or intervention plans are made to overcome these delays.


Developmental Screening should be incorporated at every well-child visit. Any concerns raised during surveillance should be promptly addressed.


Developmental Screening helps in:

    • Recognizing children who may be at risk of developmental delays
    • Early recognition of delays in language skills, cognitive skills, social and emotional skills
    • Early referral for evaluation and treatment after identification of children with developmental delay
    • Regular and repeated screening with a validated instrument helps in detecting a problem not identified with a single screen or surveillance
    • Increasing parents' awareness of developmental disabilities and resources for intervention
    • Referring children with developmental delays in a timely fashion to the appropriate early intervention and early childhood education programs
    • Early diagnosis of children with intellectual disability and pervasive developmental disorders
 
 
 
 
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