Return to Articles

3.01.2025

Developmental Screenings for Young Children: A Guide for Families

As parents, we want the best for our children and their growth. From the moment they are born, we observe their every milestone with excitement. 

Developmental screenings play an essential role in ensuring that your child is progressing in all areas of development, such as motor skills, language, social behavior, and sensory processing. 

These screenings are tools used by healthcare professionals to identify developmental concerns early on so that intervention can take place as soon as possible. Early detection helps children access the support and resources they need to thrive.

Learn more about Developmental Milestones on First 5 Nevada!

Here’s why developmental screenings are so crucial:

1. Identifying Delays Early: Children develop at their own pace, but some may experience delays in specific areas. By using screenings, healthcare providers and other early childhood professionals can quickly identify if a child may need additional support or interventions.
2. Providing Resources and Support: If a developmental delay is identified, it opens the door to resources and therapies that can make a significant difference. The sooner a concern is addressed, the better the outcomes.
3. Tracking Progress: Developmental screenings allow parents and professionals to track how a child is progressing over time. This helps ensure that any delays are addressed and that the child continues to develop in the best possible way.

Now, let’s dive into some of the common developmental screenings used to monitor children’s growth and development.

1. Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE)

The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) is a screening tool that assesses a child’s development across five key areas: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills. Parents fill out a simple questionnaire about their child’s behavior and abilities, which helps determine if the child is meeting expected milestones for their age.

There’s also the ASQ-Social-Emotional (ASQ-SE), which focuses on a child’s social and emotional development. It looks at how a child interacts with others, expresses feelings, and adapts to different situations. These screenings are essential for identifying early signs of developmental delays, behavioral concerns, or emotional struggles.

Why it's important: Both versions of the ASQ help catch concerns early, which is crucial because children’s social and emotional development is just as important as their physical development. Early intervention can help address issues like anxiety, social withdrawal, or trouble regulating emotions.

2. Sensory Profile II

The Sensory Profile II is a screening tool used to assess how a child responds to sensory experiences. Every child processes sensory information, like sights, sounds, touch, taste, and smell, differently. Some children may be over-sensitive to certain sensory inputs (e.g., loud noises or itchy clothing), while others might seek out sensory stimulation (e.g., touching everything they see or enjoying spinning).

This tool evaluates how a child’s sensory processing affects their daily activities, social interactions, and behavior. It gives insights into whether a child’s sensory processing might be affecting their ability to learn, communicate, or engage with others.

Why it's important: Sensory processing issues are often linked to conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Identifying sensory sensitivities or needs can help families create a more comfortable and supportive environment, improving the child's overall well-being.

3. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2)

The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) is a comprehensive screening that evaluates a child's motor skills, both fine and gross. It measures a range of skills, from basic movements like crawling and walking to more complex actions like catching a ball or using scissors. The test is designed for children from birth to 6 years old, providing valuable insights into how well a child’s motor abilities are developing.

Why it's important: Motor development is crucial for a child’s overall growth, affecting their ability to perform daily tasks such as eating, dressing, or playing. Early identification of motor delays can lead to early physical therapy interventions that can help improve coordination and strength, making tasks easier for the child as they grow.

4. Beery-Buktencia Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI)

The Beery-Buktencia Developmental Test (Beery VMI) assesses how well a child’s visual and motor skills work together. Visual-motor integration refers to the ability to coordinate what the eyes see with the movements of the hands. This test helps identify potential problems in areas like hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and handwriting.

The Beery VMI is especially useful in detecting learning disabilities or challenges with school tasks, as many of these problems stem from difficulties with visual-motor integration.

Why it's important: Children need strong visual-motor integration skills to complete everyday tasks, from drawing to writing to playing sports. Early detection of difficulties in this area can help provide targeted interventions, such as occupational therapy, to improve the child’s ability to complete tasks at school and home.

Developmental screenings are a proactive approach to supporting young children as they grow and develop. By using tools like the ASQ-3, Sensory Profile II, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, and Beery VMI, families and healthcare providers can identify potential concerns and take action early. These screenings give valuable insight into a child’s progress and provide a roadmap for ensuring that children receive the right support and interventions when needed.

Remember, every child is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to development. But by paying attention to milestones and utilizing developmental screenings, you can help ensure that your child has the tools they need to succeed, both now and in the future.

Interested in having your child screened? Join First 5 Nevada and our partners for a FREE Early Childhood Screening Event on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Las Vegas. Click here to learn more.