Introducing to Parents

Parents will be more comfortable and engaged in screening when they understand what it’s for and how it works. Below are 5 key areas to cover with parents when you introduce ASQ-3 and ask them to participate.

1. Share the purpose of screening with parents.

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

• “ASQ-3 provides a quick check of your child’s development.”
• “Your answers will show your child’s strengths and any areas in which your child may need more help or practice.”
• “The information you provide will be helpful in determining whether your child needs further assessment.”

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

Completing the ASQ-3 questionnaire is simple but parents doing it for the first time will appreciate these tips. Review Important Points to Remember on the questionnaire:

• “Try each activity with your child before you mark a response.”
• “Make this a game that’s fun for you and your child.”
• “Make sure your child is rested and fed.”

3. Explain how ASQ-3 works.

Describe the five developmental areas of ASQ-3, the items within these areas, and the Overall section. You might say:

• “Your child may be able to do some, but not all, of the items.”
• “Here are the five areas of development we’ll look at on the ASQ-3”:
  1. “Communication: Your child’s language skills, both what your child understands and what he or she can say.”
  2. “Gross Motor: How your child uses his or her arms and legs and other large muscles for sitting, crawling, walking, running, and other activities.”
  3. “Fine Motor: Your child’s hand and finger movement and coordination.”
  4. “Problem Solving: How your child plays with toys and solves problems.”
  5. “Personal-Social: Your child’s self-help skills and interactions with others.”
• “The Overall section asks questions about your child’s overall development and about any concerns you may have.”

4. Review the three response options on ASQ-3 questionnaires and what they mean.

The ASQ-3 questionnaire asks parents to choose one of three possible answers. Here is a simple way to explain them:

• “Yes means that your child is performing the skill.”
• “Not yet indicates that your child is not yet performing the skill.”
• “Sometimes says that your child is just beginning to perform the skill or does it on occasion.”

Let parents know that you’ll be in touch to share the results. Give them a timeframe.