Developmental Monitoring and Screening

physician and child
A child’s growth and development are followed―or monitored―through a partnership between parents and health care professionals. At each well-child visit, the doctor looks for developmental delays or problems and talks with the parents about any concerns the parents might have. In addition, doctors conduct developmental screening. Developmental screening is a short test to tell if children are learning basic skills when they should, or if they might have delays.

Children with special health care needs should have developmental monitoring and screening just like those without special needs. Monitoring healthy development means not only paying attention to symptoms related to a child’s condition, but also to the child’s physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.

If a child has a developmental delay, it is important to get help as soon as possible. When a developmental delay is not found early, children must wait to get the help they need. This can make it hard for them to learn when they start school.