The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published updated guidelines for developmental screening in children as part of overall preventive and well-child care. It updates previous guidelines published in 2001. The guideline recommends formal developmental assessment using a validated screening tool at the 9, 18, and 30 month well-child visits. It also recommends routine developmental surveillance at other well-child visits. These are the standard developmental milestones that (I hope) all pediatricians ask.
A formal assessment tool is a developmental survey that is scored, and scores have been validated to detect children who may need more careful monitoring or evaluation. Standardized screening tools have been shown to improve detection of developmental delays; however, the optimal ages have not been researched. Also, there is not currently a 30 month well visit that is part of the recommended schedule or that is covered by insurance companies. The guidelines state that screening can be done at 24 months if a 30 month visit is not an option. It is also highly uncertain whether insurance companies will cover these screenings.
Early detection of developmental problems is critical to children’s overall health and development. Some skills need to be attained at certain ages, and most skills depend on having developed the proper skills beforehand that lead up to them. Early detection and treatment is vital to avoiding permanent developmental delays and disabilities.
