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Developmental testing
1Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, USA.
Insights
Pediatricians monitor child development through surveillance and screening, referring those at risk for early intervention. This process aids in diagnosing and treating developmental disabilities and behavioral issues for optimal child outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Health
Background:
- Pediatricians are crucial in monitoring infant and child development during well-child visits.
- Parents rely on pediatricians to identify developmental lags, disorders, or behavioral problems.
- Legislation (PL 99-457) emphasizes the pediatrician's role in referring at-risk children to early intervention services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the pediatrician's role in developmental surveillance and screening.
- To emphasize the importance of accurate interpretation of screening and testing measures.
- To highlight the pediatrician's function in facilitating diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing assessment of developmental issues.
Main Methods:
- Implementing developmental surveillance strategies.
- Conducting periodic developmental screening assessments.
- Utilizing knowledge of common screening and testing measures and their limitations.
Main Results:
- Pediatricians can identify children needing further developmental or psychological evaluation.
- Accurate interpretation of screening data aids in diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Repeated assessments track intervention effectiveness and developmental progress.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians are central to early identification and management of developmental disabilities and behavioral disturbances.
- Effective developmental surveillance and screening by pediatricians facilitate timely intervention.
- The pediatrician acts as an advocate, connecting families with necessary services for optimal child development.
Abstract:
Pediatricians play a central role in monitoring the development of infants and children during the course of providing well child care. Parents turn to pediatricians for help in determining whether their child has a temporary lag in development, a serious delay or disorder, or a significant behavior problem that should be addressed. With the passage of PL 99-457, pediatricians also play a key role in referring children at risk to early intervention services. By employing a strategy of developmental surveillance, with periodic developmental screening, the pediatrician can determine when a child should be referred for more extensive developmental or psychological testing, which will aid in the process of diagnosis and treatment of developmental disabilities and behavioral disturbances. Knowledge of the screening and testing measures used commonly, as well as their limitations, will result in more accurate interpretation of the data derived from such measures. Once delays are diagnosed and treatment is initiated, repeated assessments over time will serve to identify areas in need of continuing intervention while indicating gains made in specific areas of developmental functioning. Throughout this process, the pediatrician's role as advocate for the child and family serves as a bridge to other professionals and services, with the ultimate goal of facilitating the optimal development of the child.