Child Developmental Screening
Developmental screenings are included in first contacts for the purpose of evaluation and assessment planning for all children who do not have an established condition or an obvious developmental delay. Although screening is not required during First Contacts, a developmental screening with an approved instrument may be helpful to the evaluation and assessment team when a child does not have an established condition or obvious developmental delay. The service coordinator and/or other appropriate individuals conduct screenings within the context of first contacts, and therefore screening is conducted in the home or other location in which the face-to-face contact is conducted. If a developmental screening is conducted, the screening tools that are recommended for use as general developmental screeners and should be considered first are:
- Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
- Birth to Three Screener
- Early Learning Accomplishment Profile (ELAP) Screener
- Battelle Screening Tool
If the child screens at age level and the family makes the decision not to proceed with an evaluation/assessment, the family is provided with developmental materials and referrals to community agencies, as appropriate. Contact information for Early Steps is provided and the family is offered a re-screening in three to six months. When families choose not to proceed with an evaluation /assessment, they must sign a form indicating they have decided not to participate further in Early Steps at this time. If the family chooses to pursue further evaluation after a screening indicates the child is functioning at age level in all five developmental domains, then one of the following must occur:
- An evaluation/assessment is provided OR
- The Local Early Steps decides not to provide an evaluation/assessment, and gives written prior notice, including procedural safeguards to the family. The notice must specify that an evaluation is being refused and the reasons for refusal.
