Links to 15 FREE checklists, charts, & more!

Your Developmental Screening Toolkit

Tips & Tools for Informing Families and Improving Your Screening Program

Screening Resources

Developmental Screening FACT SHEET

A child’s development is more than just physical growth. In addition, many children have delays in language or other areas. It’s time to change how we view a child’s growth. From birth to 5 years, there are milestones children should reach in terms of how they play, learn, speak, and act. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem. The earlier a delay is recognized, the more you can do to help them reach their full potential. Free information about milestones and tools to help track a child’s development can be found at www.cdc.gov/ActEarly or by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Things Every Parent Should Know About Developmental Screening

• It identifies delays early, when interventions can help the most.
• It helps ensure better futures. Studies show that children who receive early treatment for developmental delays are more likely to graduate from high school, hold jobs, and live independently.
• It’s recommended by the AAP. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants and young children be screened for delays as a regular part of their ongoing health care.
• It helps parents take an active role in guiding child development. Using a parent-completed screener like ASQ gives parents a chance to share their unique insights about their child and learn more about key developmental milestones.
• It boosts parent-child bonding. Parent-completed screenings are a great bonding experience for parents and children.
• It’s easy and quick. Screening can be completed in many settings, and parents can fill out most questionnaires in under 15 minutes.

NOTE: Many programs recognize the importance of screening but are held back by the perceived time involved. Parent-completed screening tools can help to overcome these obstacles:

• Parent requests of their child's development are highly accurate.
• They require less professional administration time and can be filled out practically anywhere.

Tips for Screening Success

• Introduce screening to parents by explaining the purpose and supporting them during the process.
• Provide parent-centered curriculum resources located for specific developmental needs.

Child Development Resources

Your Baby at 2 Months - Parent-friendly checklists from the CDC for tracking child’s progress: Checklist

Developmental Milestones Checklists - Monitor milestones in your child’s development and how to help.

Milestone Moments Booklet - A colorful booklet to track developmental progress from 2 months to 5 years: Milestone Moments

Your Child’s Early Development is a Journey - A handout outlining developmental milestones: Development Journey

ASQ Resources

• Fast facts about the ASQ-3 developmental screener: ASQ-3
• Overview of ASQ-3 for quick introduction: ASQ Overview English | ASQ Overview Spanish
• Webinar resources on engaging families in screening process: Webinar

Conclusion

Parents are the most valuable partners in your screening program. Engage them by sharing these resources and supporting their child’s development.