When and Why: The Timing of Developmental Screenings

When and Why: The Timing of Developmental Screenings

Child development is complex, and it can be difficult for you as a parent to know if your child is experiencing a developmental issue. Developmental screenings from your pediatrician can help. Drs. Kristine Liberty, Steven Kovar, and Jessica Ciszek at Kids First Pediatrics in Plainfield, IL, provide a wide range of medical services for children, including developmental screenings.

What You Need To Know About the Importance of Developmental Screenings

Developmental screenings are an important diagnostic tool to identify developmental problems or delays early, so treatment can begin. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to helping your child. Developmental screenings should happen during a routine well-child visit when your child is 9, 18, and 30 months old. Your child will also be screened for autism at 18 and 24 months.

Developmental screenings can help identify:

• Autism
• Speech delays
• Learning disabilities

During a developmental screening, your pediatrician will:

• Perform a comprehensive medical record review
• Observe and record behaviors and mannerisms
• Assess cognitive abilities, emotional and physical delays, and other issues

To aid in the developmental screening, your pediatrician may use questionnaires, checklists, surveys, and other objective measurement tools to help assess your child’s development. In addition to interviewing you, the parent, your pediatrician may also interview your child’s teachers and others close to your child.

After a comprehensive assessment, your pediatrician will develop a treatment protocol which can:

• Enhance performance
• Improve learning
• Encourage positive behaviors
• Develop life skills

To read more detailed information about developmental assessments, please click here.

Want To Know More?

Your child deserves to thrive, and developmental screenings from your pediatrician are the gateway to identifying developmental and learning difficulties so they can be treated. To discover more about developmental screenings and why they are an important part of your child’s healthcare, call Drs. Kristine Liberty, Steven Kovar, and Jessica Ciszek at Kids First Pediatrics in Plainfield, IL. You can reach them in the office by calling (815) 609-5437, so call today.