Health Supervision:Screening Services & Assessments
Developmental
and Behavioral Screening
Monitoring the developmental and behavioral status of every child and adolescent is a critical part of each pediatric preventive health visit. HealthCheck requires a developmental and behavioral assessment at each visit from birth to 21 years.
Screening Principles
- Use Validated Tools: Identifying and monitoring developmental status is more accurate when providers use validated screening tools. It is also important to note any previously conducted screenings from programs like Strong Start or Head Start.
- Cultural Competency: When administering tests, it is essential to be sensitive and well-informed. Be sure to become knowledgeable about the family's culture, respect their values, and provide materials in their native language when feasible.
- Conduct a Psychosocial Assessment: As part of the health history, evaluate for risk in areas such as school attendance, substance use, and family history.
Key Screening Tools
- Parent-Completed Tools:
- Autism-Specific Tool:
- Adolescent-Focused Tools:
- HEADSS Assessment: A psychosocial risk assessment framework for interviewing adolescents that covers Home, Education/Employment, Activities, Drugs/Substance Use, Sexuality, and Suicide/Depression.
- CRAFFT Screening Tool: A brief screening test for substance use risk in adolescents.
- DC-Approved Screening Tools:
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Referral Programs for Developmental Concerns
- For Children from Birth to Age 3: Children with an identified developmental delay or disability should be referred to Strong Start (the DC Early Intervention Program).
- For Children Age 3 and Older: Children with developmental delays should be referred to the Early Stages program in the DC Public Schools.
Key National Resources
- DC-Approved Child Mental Health Screening Tools: A document explaining the background and methodology for choosing screening tools, with details on administration, scoring, and ordering information.
- Mental Health Initiatives (AAP): The AAP's main resource hub for clinical guidance and policy statements on adolescent mental health.
- Resource Centers (AACAP): Provides clinical resources and fact sheets for professionals and families on a wide range of mental health topics.
- Adolescent and School Health (CDC): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's main resource for data, research, and strategies related to the health of adolescents.
- Developmental Surveillance and Screening (AAP): The official clinical algorithm from the American Academy of Pediatrics for identifying infants and young children with developmental disorders in the medical home.
- "Learn the Signs. Act Early." (CDC): A comprehensive resource from the CDC with developmental milestones, screening information, and materials for families and providers.
- Bright Futures: Provides tools and resources to support social and emotional development in early childhood.
- Child Development (CDC): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's resource on developmental milestones, positive parenting tips, and common concerns for child development.
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): The American Academy of Pediatrics' official website for parents, with extensive information on the health and development of school-aged children.
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This
concludes the Screening Services & Assessments module.
Move on to the next module, Laboratory Tests.
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