The pediatrician, how- ever, needs to be familiar Pediatric check up and asking parents about their concerns aboutĬhild's development. Informal screning is based on observing the child during a routine The three approaches to screening include informal, routine and focussed developmental screening(8).ġ. Table I lists some of the guidelines re- commended by the Task Force on Screening and Assessment (I).

Developmental surveil.1ance includes identification of parental concerns, child observations, screening, immunization and anticipatory guidance(2,7). Process which includes all activities related to the detection of developmental problems and the promotion of development during primary child health care visits. On the other hand,ĭevelopmental surveillance is a continuous, flexible and comprehensive DevelopmentalĪssessment refers to a more detailed investigation of developmentalĭelay and is diagnostic in scope(2,6). There is a need to distinguish develop- mental screening fromĭevelopmental assessment and developmental surveillance. Early screening does not merely mean the administration of a single test at one point of time, rather it is a set of processes and procedures used over a period of time(5). Possible, developmental disabilities in children at high risk so thatĪ treatment or remediation can be initiated at an early age when it is The goal of screening is to identify, as early as Screening refers to the detection of unsuspected deviations from normal development that would not otherwise be identified in routine pediatric practice. Successful early identification of delayed development requires that the pediatricians be skilled in the use of screening tests and be aware of the strengths as well as the limitations of developmental screening.ĭevelopmental screening is a brief testing procedure designed to identify children who should receive more intensive diagnosis or assessment(1). Early identification of children with delayed development has important implications for their treatment and in preventing risks of future disabilities and secondary problems related to family dysfunction, peer difficulties, and school failure. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment of children with developmental de- lay has emerged in recent years as a matter of growing concern among pediatricians. Prahbhjot Malhi, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012, India. From the Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute for Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.

Denver developmental screening test