Introducing ASQ:SE-2 to Parents

Parents will be more comfortable and engaged in screening when they understand what it’s for and how it works. Here are 4 key talking points to cover with parents when you introduce ASQ:SE-2 and ask them to participate in screening.

1. Share the purpose of screening with parents.

Parents may worry about participating in a screening program. Some may be new to the idea, while others might fear that their child will be labeled. Here are some things you can say:

• "ASQ:SE-2 provides a quick check of your child’s social-emotional development."
• "The information on the questionnaire will remain confidential. I won’t share the information with anyone without your consent."
• "Your answers will show your child’s strengths and whether your child is showing behaviors you’d like to talk about."
• "Your answers will help me get to know your child better and understand how I can support them in the classroom."
• "If you have questions or concerns about any of your child’s behaviors that are beyond my knowledge, I’ll help you find other resources or agencies in our community that can help."

2. Give parents guidance and help them feel prepared to complete a screening successfully.

Completing the ASQ:SE-2 questionnaire is simple, but parents who are doing it for the first time will appreciate these tips. Share the What Is ASQ:SE-2? handout with parents. Review the Important Points to Remember on the questionnaire:

• "Answer questions based on what you know about your child’s behavior."
• "Answer questions based on your child’s usual behavior, not behavior when your child is sick, very tired, or hungry."
• "Please return this questionnaire by [date]. If you have any questions or concerns about your child or about this questionnaire, contact [person]."

3. Explain the questions on the ASQ:SE-2 questionnaire and what the response options mean.

The ASQ:SE-2 questionnaire has two types of questions—behavior questions and open-ended questions. The behavior questions ask parents to choose one of three possible answers. Here is a simple way to explain them:

• "Often or always means the child does the behavior frequently or always does it."
• "Sometimes means the child does the behavior part of the time but not consistently."
• "Rarely or never means the child rarely performs the behavior or has never performed it."
• "At the end of each questionnaire, there are open-ended questions that ask you to share any concerns you might have—concerns related to your child’s eating, sleeping, and, with older children, toileting behaviors." Also, make sure to show parents the column where they can mark concerns.