Using ASQ to catch more delays.
When pediatricians complement their clinical judgment with the use of a standardized screening tool, they identify 70% to 80% of children with developmental disabilities.3 The percentage rises when screening is conducted at periodic intervals (rather than at a single point in time or only as problems are suspected).
Pediatricians—for web-based ASQ options that meet your specific needs, discover the benefits of ASQ-PTI and CHADIS! Also, get information on options for integrating ASQ into electronic health records (EHRs).
AAP Recommendations
Given the critical role pediatricians can play in the early identification of children at risk, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends in its policy statement on screening that pediatricians and primary care providers:
- screen all infants and young children for developmental delays during preventive care visits
- present the results of the screening to the family using a culturally sensitive, family-centered approach
- maintain links with community-based resources, such as early intervention, school, and other programs, and coordinate care with them
- increase parents’ awareness of developmental delays and disabilities and resources for intervention
Overcome Screening Barriers with Parent-Report Tools
Of the screening tools available, parent-report tools such as Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) are the most time- and cost-efficient—time and cost being the two biggest barriers pediatricians face when implementing screening.
With a secure, customizable website through ASQ® Family Access, parents can easily fill out the questionnaires online, saving your program time and money. Or choose the paper format—mail the questionnaires or give them to parents to fill out in a waiting area, and you’ll get the information you need about a child in advance of a visit.
Concerned about overidentifying children with delays? Though screening does result in occasional referrals of children later found not to qualitfy for services, most overreferrals are shown to be for children with below average development who would benefit from extra attention.4
Learn how pediatricians in Illinois successfully screen with ASQ
Discover how ASQ helped identify delays in pre-term children
Sources:
1 Hix-Small, H., Marks, Kevin, Nickel, R. (2007, August). Impact of Implementing Developmental Screening at 12 Months and 24 Months in a Pediatric Practice, Pediatrics,120(2), 381–389.
2 Glascoe, F. P. (2000). Early detection of developmental and behavioral problems. Pediatrics in Review,21(8), 272–280.
3 Squires, J. Nickel, R. E., Eisert, D. (1996). Early detection of developmental problems: strategies for monitoring young children in the practice setting. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 17, 420–427.
4 Glascoe, F. P. (2001, January). Are overreferrals on developmental screening tests really a problem? Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 155(1), 54–59.
5American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society, (2000, August). Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism, Neurology, 468