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What screening tools can do
Screening tools are designed to help identify children who might have
developmental delays. Screening tools can be specific to a disorder (for
example, autism), an area (for example, cognitive development, language, or
gross motor skills), or they may be general, encompassing multiple areas of
concern.
What screening tools cannot do
Screening tools do not provide conclusive evidence of developmental delays
and do not result in diagnoses. A positive screening result should be
followed by a thorough assessment. Screening tools do not provide in-depth
information about an area of development.
What to consider when selecting a screening tool
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Domain or domains the screening tool covers. That is, what are the
questions that need to be answered? What types of delays or conditions do
you want to detect?
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Psychometric properties. These have to do with the overall ability of the
test to do what it is meant to do.
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The sensitivity of a screening tool is the probability that it will
correctly identify children who exhibit developmental delays or disorders.
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The specificity of a screening tool is the probability that it will
correctly identify children who are developing normally.
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Characteristics of the children. For example, age and presence of risk
factors.
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Setting in which the screening tool will be administered (for example,
physician office, daycare setting, community screening). Screening can be
performed by professionals, such as nurses, or teachers or by trained
paraprofessionals.
Myths about Developmental Screening Tools
Myth: There are no adequate screening
tools for preschoolers.
Fact: While this may have been true
decades ago, today sound screening measures exist. Many screening measures
have sensitivities and specificities over 70%.1,2
Myth: It takes a great deal of training
to administer screening correctly
Fact: Training requirements are not
extensive for most screeners. Many can be administered by
paraprofessionals.
Myth: Screening takes a lot of time.
Fact: Many screening instruments take
less than 15 minutes to administer, and some require only about 2 minutes
of professional time. 2,3
Myth: Tools that incorporate
information from the parents are not valid.
Fact: Parents’ concerns are generally
valid and are predictive of developmental delays. Research has shown that
parental concerns detect 70% to 80% of children with disabilities.4,5
Today, a number of good screening tools are available that are designed for
a variety of settings, ages, and purposes. Some screening tools are used
primarily in pediatric practices, while others are used by school systems
or in other community settings.
1Committee on Children and
Disabilities, American Academy of Pediatrics. Developmental surveillance
and screening for infants and young children. 2001;108(1):192-6.
2Glascoe FP. Collaborating with Parents. Nashville, Tennessee:
Ellsworth & Vandermeer Press, Ltd; 1998.
3Dobrez D, Sasso A, Holl J, Shalowitz M, Leon S, Budetti P.
Estimating the cost of developmental and behavioral screening of preschool
children in general pediatric practice. Pediatrics 2001; 108:913-22.
4Glascoe, F. P. Evidence-based approach to developmental and
behavioral surveillance using parents’ concerns. Child: Care, Health, and
Development, 2000; 26:137-49
5Squires J, Nickel R E, and Eisert D. Early detection of
developmental problems: Strategies for monitoring young children in the
practice setting. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
1996;17:420-7.
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Date: September 20, 2005
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
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