Screening for developmental and behavioral problems

TLDR

Early detection of developmental and behavioral/mental health problems is facilitated by quality instruments and should be integrated into developmental surveillance, a longitudinal process of professional observation guiding decisions about children’s needs. The article outlines how to identify accurate measures and sets standards for screening tests. The authors present a table of accurate tools for primary care (e.g., PEDS, ASQ, PSC) and for settings with more time and skill (e.g., Brigance screens), while describing how to identify accurate measures and establish screening standards.

Abstract

Early detection of developmental and behavioral/mental health problems is greatly facilitated when quality instruments are deployed. This article describes how to identify accurate measures and presents standards for screening tests. Included is a table delineating accurate tools for primary care: typically those relying on information from parents (e.g., PEDS, ASQ, PSC, etc.) as well as measures useful in settings where providers have more time and skill at eliciting behaviors from children (e.g., Brigance screens). Screening measures should be used in the context of developmental surveillance; the longitudinal process of incorporating professional observations into decision-making about children's developmental needs.