Developmental screening is a procedure designed to identify children who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis for potential developmental delays. Developmental screening allows daycare providers and parents the ability to receive a snapshot of a child’s development.
Our interview with Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist, sensory specialist, CEO of Zone’in Programs Inc. discusses the importance of developmental screening in daycare centers and preschools:
OwnADaycare: Why do preschoolers undergo developmental screening?
Cris Rowan: Brain maturation is most rapid when children are young. Developmental research has shown that interventions are most effective during times of rapid neuronal growth. Assessing and treating developmental delay (DD) at the infant and toddler level will achieve optimal results. Presently 15% of elementary children are developmentally delayed (1), 15% are obese (2), and 14.3% have psychiatric disorders (3). The sooner these conditions are assessed through developmental screening, the more effective will be the subsequent treatment.
OwnADaycare: Are all children screened?
Cris Rowan: Most definitely not! Studies have shown that only 50% of developmental delays are detected prior to school entry (1). 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. Process for detecting DD is usually by primary physician initial assessment who is acting on reports from either parent or preschool staff. Referral is usually then initiated to a child development center for further assessment by physical, occupational or speech and language therapists.
OwnADaycare At what age are preschoolers screened?
Chris Rowan: As stated previously, there is no standardized method for developmental screening. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’ve observed the following developmental screening periods:
Early Infant Screening
Infants are brought to the family physician for developmental screening at around 12-18 month of age, when they have failed to meet the three primary developmental milestones of sit (6 mo.), stand (9 mo.) and walk (12 mo.).
Toddler Screening
Toddlers are often referred to the physician by the preschool when the toddler is 2.5-3 years of age and shows significant gross and fine motor delays, is not communicating or socializing with peers, exhibits unusual behavior, or is aggressive.
School Age Screening
Children are usually referred to the school based physical (PT), occupational (OT), or speech and language (SLP) therapists anywhere from grade 1-3. These referrals are generally made by the school’s special education team, and are based on the child’s performance skills in gym (PT), printing, reading, socializing, and paying attention (OT), or expression or comprehension of speech (SLP).
OwnADaycare: Can you describe the screening tests?
Cris Rowan:
Physicians and Pediatricians – tests assess for quality of reflexes, strength and muscle tone, meeting milestones for sit, stand, walk, talk.
Physical therapy – tests assess and treat delays or impairment in the following: gross motor skills, mobility, posture, strength, muscle tone, reflex inhibition, bilateral coordination.
Occupational therapy – tests assess and treat delays or impairment in the following: fine motor skills, sensory processing and integration, visual-motor integration, visual perception, oral motor skills, activities of daily living, play skills, social skills, foundation skills for eventual school entry.
Speech and Language therapy – tests assess and treat delays or impairment in the following: expressive and comprehensive communication.
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