The Importance of Developmental Screening

screenings for your child. The Collaboration works with local professionals to promote and support developmental screening. Our website also has dates and locations of screenings for Oak Park and River Forest residents, and an extensive listing of developmental service providers. To learn more about developmental screenings, visit: https://collab4kids.org/child-health-and-screening/ A “developmental screening” is a brief check that provides a “snapshot” of a child’s communication, motor, cognitive, self-help and social-emotional skills. This screening can be conducted by parents, in partnership with a doctor, a child care provider, or other trained professional. A developmental screening can help you to celebrate your child’s developmental milestones and determine whether your child’s development is appropriate for his or her age. Your child’s doctor or child care provider can help you find ways to continue to support your child’s development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors informally monitor children’s development at each well-child visit, and conduct formal screenings (using a valid, reliable and research-based screening tool) at the 9-, 18-, and 24- or 30-month visits.

If a developmental screening indicates a possible delay, it is very important to have your child formally assessed through the Illinois Early Intervention system (ages birth to three), local school district (ages three to five) or medical providers (any age) as quickly as possible. Research shows that the earlier children get help with a delay, the better they perform in school and with other children.