Promoting routine use of developmental and autism-specific screening tools by pediatric primary care clinicians

In 2006, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement recommending routine developmental screening for all children. Most clinicians at that time were using informal methods to monitor child development.

Outreach to Wisconsin primary care clinicians designed to promote use of validated developmental screening tools began in 2006. A survey of 157 Wisconsin primary care clinicians was conducted in late 2012 to assess routine use of developmental and autism-specific tools.

As compared with a similar survey conducted in 2007, where only 25% of clinicians reported use of a validated developmental screening tool, over 55% of clinicians in this survey reported routine use of validated developmental and autism-specific screening tools within well-child care.

Outreach to clinicians and their care teams, in conjunction with policy statements from national professional organizations and supporting evidence, can contribute to quality improvement in well-child care delivery.