What are developmental and behavioral screening tests?
Developmental and behavioral screening tests look at how a child is developing. The screenings are made up of checklists and questionnaires for parents. They include questions about their child’s language, movement, thinking, behavior, and emotions.
Many of the questions are based on developmental milestones. Developmental milestones are skills and behaviors that show up in babies and children at certain ages as they grow. They include smiling for the first time, rolling over, and walking. The screening compares your child’s milestones to those of other children of the same age. If the screening shows your child is developing at a slower rate, it may be a sign of a developmental disability. Developmental disabilities are conditions that cause problems in physical and/or mental functions. They include:
- Intellectual disabilities (ID). These conditions cause below average mental abilities. People with ID often have problems with learning and daily living skills.
- Autism spectrum disorder. This is a disorder that affects behavior, communication, and social skills.
- Cerebral palsy. This is a condition that affects movement, coordination, and balance.
- Deafness or other hearing problems
Developmental and behavioral screening tests don’t diagnose these conditions. But a screening can show if your child is not developing on schedule. When developmental disabilities are found and treated early, it can make a big impact on a child’s life. Early treatment, known as early intervention, helps children learn important skills, make the most of their strengths, and improve their quality of life.
Other names: Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Child Development Inventories (CDI)
Post source: medlineplus
