# Screening & Assessment

#### in early childhood settings

**There can be some confusion about the** **difference between screening and assessment** **in early childhood settings. This infographic** **helps illustrate key characteristics for each** **type of tool.**

##### Characteristics of screening tools:

- **Quick and easy to use**
- **Accurate, both in sensitivity and specificity**

## Screening • Completed by parents, doctors, teachers,

**child care providers, home visitors, or** **other professionals**

### Screening answers the question,

##### “Does a child need an in-depth assessment?”

##### Screening can...

- **identify children who are developing on schedule.**
- **identify children who would benefit from practice or** **support in specific areas.**
- **identify children at risk for developmental delays** **who should be referred for further evaluation.**

##### Screening cannot...

- **diagnose delays or disabilities.**
- **identify specific child goals to target. Screening only** **provides information on general areas of** **development.**

#### Examples of screening tools:

**ASQ-3 DECA PEDS** **ASQ:SE-2 DIAL-3 RDSI** **BITSEA ESI-R TABS**

##### There are two types of assessment:

- **Diagnostic assessment** **(professional evaluation)**
- **Ongoing assessment**

## Assessment

##### (programmatic, curriculum-based,

**criterion-based)**

##### Diagnostic assessment answers the question,

##### “Is the child eligible for services?”

##### Diagnostic assessments...

- **are complex processes that may identify specific** **developmental disabilities.**
- **are administered by evaluation specialists.**
- **determine if there is a delay and the extent of the** **delay.**

#### Examples of diagnostic assessment tools:

**Bayley-III CLAS LAP-D** **BDI-2 GES MSEL** **CBCL ITSEA PDMS-2**

##### Ongoing assessment answers the questions,

**“What skills does the child have?” and “What skills should be goals?”**

##### Ongoing assessments...

- **provide a complete child profile.**
- **identify targeted goals and objectives.**
- **help with program planning.**
- **can be used for child or program evaluation.**

#### Examples of ongoing assessment tools:

**AEPS DECA HELP** **CCITSN/CCPSN DRDP SEAM** **COR Advantage GOLD TPBA/I2**

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