Pediatric screening refers to the systematic process of assessing children’s development, health, and well-being to identify potential issues or concerns early on. Screening is essential for detecting developmental delays, health conditions, and risk factors in children, allowing for timely intervention and support. Here are key aspects related to pediatric screening:

1. Purpose of Pediatric Screening:

• Early Identification: Detecting developmental, behavioral, or health concerns in children at an early stage.
• Preventive Care: Addressing risk factors and promoting healthy development.
• Intervention Planning: Informing the development of targeted interventions and support services.

2. Components of Pediatric Screening:

• Developmental Screening: Assessing key milestones in motor skills, language, social-emotional development, and cognitive abilities.
• Behavioral Screening: Identifying behavioral or emotional concerns that may impact a child’s well-being.
• Health Screening: Monitoring physical health, growth, and assessing for potential medical conditions.

3. Developmental Milestones:

• Motor Skills: Crawling, walking, fine motor skills (grasping objects).
• Language Development: Babbling, speech sound development, vocabulary acquisition.
• Social-Emotional Skills: Interacting with others, expressing emotions, forming attachments.

4. Screening Tools and Instruments:

• Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ): A developmental screening tool used to assess various domains.
• Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS): A tool for identifying parents’ concerns about their child’s development.
• Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT): A screening tool for autism spectrum disorder.