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.
Part 2 of our interview with Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist , sensory specialist, CEO of Zone’in Programs Inc. discusses what developmental screening in  daycare centers and preschools measure as well as special services for developmental delay.
OwnADaycare: What types of tests do young children take and what do they measure?
Cris Rowan: While there are numerous tests, I’ve only listed the ones I am familiar with and that are used in our area. You may want to contact a few more professionals to gain a more comprehensive list.
Physicians – Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status (parent concerns regarding child development), Ages and Stages Questionnaire (communication, gross and fine motor, problem solving, personal-social), Brigance Screens (speech-language, motor skills, readiness, general knowledge), Bayley Infant Neurodevelopomental Screen (screen for high risk infants).
Physical therapists – Bruininks Test of Motor Proficiency (Gross Motor Composite) measures, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, Brigance Screen, Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (neurodevelopment).
Occupational therapists – Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (proprioceptive, tactile and vestibular integration), Bruininks Test of Motor Proficiency – Fine Motor Composite (response speed, visual motor, bilateral integration), Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (foundation, coordination, verbal, nonverbal and complex task skill), Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, Test of Visual Motor Skills-2, Sensory Profile (sensory processing, modulation, and behavioral and emotional responses), Clinical Observations of Motor and Postural Skills-2 (motor coordination), Berry Developmental Test for Visual Motor Integration, Developmental Test of Visual Perception-2.
Speech and Language Pathologists – Test for Auditory Comprehension of Language – Revised (understanding of word classes e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives, grammatical morphology and sentence structures), Beery Picture Vocabulary Test (expressive vocabulary by requiring the naming of pictures), Preschool Language Assessment Instrument (use of varying length of abstract language), Structured Photographic Expressive Language Test (expressive grammar).
OwnADaycare: What special services might a child need or what type of intervention is necessary if a child is at risk for developmental delays?
Chris Rowan:
Physicians – referral onto pediatrician is generally first line approach. Pediatrician may then refer onto other specialists depending on area of impairment e.g. genetics, orthopedics, neurology, gastroenterology, physiatry, ophthalmology etc.
Physical therapists – treatment sessions might be one to one or group based, performed in 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, improve overall endurance etc.
Occupational therapists – treatment sessions might be one to one or group based, performed in hospital, child development center, preschool, or private clinic, and might consist of education regarding environmental modifications, prescription of equipment, instruction in use of sensory or motor tools or techniques etc.
Speech and Language therapists – treatment sessions might be one to one or group based, performed in 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.
Related Posts:
- Developmental Screening Tests for Young Children Interview with Cris Rowan Tweet Tweet Developmental screening is a procedure designed to identify...
- Developmental Screening for Preschoolers Tweet Tweet A preschooler will undergo a screening when there...
- How to Handle Temper Tantrums in Daycare Part 2 Tweet Tweet Daycare providers must deal with a wide range...
- Lei Craft and Fine Motor Activity for Preschoolers Tweet Tweet When developing curriculum, daycare providers must include age-appropriate...
- Fine Motor Preschool Activity: Paint with a Cotton Swab Tweet Tweet When developing curriculum, daycare providers must include age-appropriate...
