Developmental Screening, Growth - FAQ's
Developmental screening is a critical part of pediatric health care. Our team of expert pediatricians and np's provide standard pediatric screening during routine well-child checkups as well as advanced screenings for suspected developmental delays. If you're concerned about your child's development, call Caring Pediatrics today.
What is developmental screening?
Developmental screening is the process of evaluating your child's development of language, motor, and cognitive skills and abilities. Your pediatrician looks for certain developmental milestones at every well-child exam.
Your child should have several checkups in their 1st three years of life. The recommended schedule is:
- 3-5 days
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
- 3 years
From this point, your child should have an annual exam, including developmental screening. These appointments allow your pediatrician to keep an eye on your child's development and diagnose any issues as early as possible to ensure your child gets the help they need to thrive.
When should I talk to a doctor about my child's development?
You know your child best as you watch them grow and learn every day. Bear in mind that children develop skills and abilities at their own speed. While there are general age ranges for skills like sitting up, walking, and talking, the ranges are based on averages, and many children develop before or after their peers.
If you're concerned about your child's development or think that a missing skill or ability is interfering with their well-being, make an appointment and talk to our doctor. If your child does have a developmental delay, the earlier you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can start treatments.
What happens during a developmental screening?
Your pediatrician performs standard developmental screening tests during your child's routine checkups. They ask you questions about your child's skills, abilities, and behaviors at home. They also test your child's motor skills, coordination, and reflexes. As your child gets older, your pediatrician talks to them and asks them questions to assess their speech and language skills.
If you or your pediatrician have concerns about your child's development, they schedule a more comprehensive developmental screening. For example, the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) assesses many aspects of your child's development, including:
- Vocabulary
- Memory
- Critical thinking skills
- Social skills
The pediatrician will also test your child's fine and gross motor skills. Developmental screening should feel like playing for your child. We provide a relaxing environment to help your child feel comfortable during their assessments.
