Caregiver experiences of developmental screening

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Child Development
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates for universal developmental screening and surveillance to improve early detection and intervention for children.
• Despite documented benefits, screening rates remain suboptimal, with persistent gaps in effective follow-up and referral to early intervention (EI) services.
• Limited research exists on the experiences of parents and children during developmental screening, hindering improvements in early detection and EI referral.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore the experiences of caregivers and children undergoing developmental screening across various service sectors.
• To understand the types of screening, locations, in-process experiences, and post-screening interventions received by families.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative design was employed, involving individual interviews with 31 caregivers.
• Thematic analysis was used to categorize caregiver reflections on developmental screening events, covering pre-screening, during-screening, and post-screening phases.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged: parent goals for screening, preparation and support, parent/child responses, result reporting and follow-up, and overall satisfaction.
• Caregivers recognize the significance of developmental screening and report positive responses from both parents and children across diverse settings.
• Information from screening is valued for planning a child's developmental trajectory, with noted areas for improvement in preparation and follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Caregivers perceive developmental screening as important and respond positively to it in various contexts.
• Improvements in screening preparation and follow-up are crucial for enhancing parental engagement and satisfaction.
• Addressing these areas can optimize the effectiveness of developmental screening and referral to early intervention services.