Developmental Screening

Approximately 1 in 6 children in America have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays. These conditions can impair your child's physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. Fortunately, Jackyln Chan, MD, FAAP, and the team at Fairway Children’s Medical Group offer thorough developmental screenings for children of all ages in West Covina, California. Developmental screenings can help you identify any concerns early on and understand how to best support your child if they have any delays. To book an appointment, reach out online today or call the friendly staff. The team offers telemedicine services as well.

What is a developmental screening?

A developmental screening allows your provider to look for and monitor how your child is developing.

You can expect your child to receive a short test, and you’ll also complete a questionnaire or checklist, giving information about them. This may include questions about how your child learns, speaks, moves, behaves, and relates.  

Skills like talking, smiling, waving, rolling over, and walking are developmental milestones to take note of.

These screenings compare your child's milestones to other children of the same age. These milestones are general guidelines, as children can grow at different rates. If the screening shows your child is developing more slowly, it helps identify a potential problem early. 

When does my child need a developmental screening?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental and behavioral screenings for all children during regular well-child visits at ages:

• 2 months (Chinese-version)
• 9 months (中文)
• 18 months
• 30 months

In addition, AAP recommends that providers screen all children specifically for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during regular well-child visits at:

•  18 months
•  24 months

Apart from developmental screenings during well-child exams, you can also schedule a developmental screening if you or your provider has a specific concern about your child.

What happens during a developmental screening?

During a screening, you can expect to answer various behavioral screening tests that ask questions about your child's development. These tests and their questions vary by age. 

You may answer questions about your child's social interactions, language skills, motor skills, and learning progress. 

Developmental screenings can detect developmental disabilities, such as:

• Intellectual disabilities (ID)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Cerebral palsy
• Fragile X syndrome (FXS) 
• Deafness or other hearing issues 

If your child is at higher risk for developmental issues due to low birth weight, preterm birth, or environmental risks like lead exposure or existing chronic health concerns, your provider may also encourage additional screenings. 

Although developmental screenings don't diagnose a condition, they can help you and your provider know if they’re developing normally. If you detect a developmental disability early on, your provider can refer you to a specialist. 

Finding support for your child at a young age helps them manage a disability or delay and improves their quality of life.

To schedule a developmental screening, call Fairway Children’s Medical Group today or use the online booking tool. They offer telemedicine as an option, too.