Home-based developmental screening of children in foster care

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Psychology
• Child Welfare

Background:

• Children in foster care exhibit a high incidence of developmental delay.
• Early identification and intervention are crucial for this population.
• Existing screening protocols may not fully capture developmental needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess developmental status in infants and toddlers in foster care.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of specific developmental screening tools.
• To inform interventions for improving developmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Denver Developmental Screening Test-II (DDST-II), Early Language Milestone Scale-2 (ELM-2), and HOME Scale for 52 children (birth-18 months).
• Screened 49 children using the Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB).
• Analyzed screening results and HOME Scale scores to assess developmental status and environmental factors.

Main Results:

• 35% of children failed DDST-II screening.
• Mean global ELM-2 standard score was 89, indicating potential language delays.
• 61% of children showed abnormal INFANIB neurologic screening results.
• HOME scores suggested adequate environmental stimulation.

Conclusions:

• Foster care children show significant rates of developmental delay and neurological abnormalities.
• Current screening identifies a need for comprehensive developmental assessment.
• Interventions should focus on expanded developmental testing and foster parent education.