Children reach different milestones at certain ages, such as babies speaking their first words around 12 months old. Missing key milestones could be a sign of a developmental delay. Developmental screenings help identify potential delays early when it is easier to intervene and overcome the delay. Dr. Reema Mohammed, the experienced and caring pediatrician at Midwest Care Pediatrics in Villa Park, IL, performs developmental screenings for babies, children, and adolescents.

What Is a Developmental Screening?

Developmental screenings are used to more closely examine and assess how a child is developing in several key areas. Some major areas of development include cognitive or thinking skills, fine and gross motor skills (movement), speech and language skills, and social and emotional skills. At our pediatric office in Villa Park, IL developmental screenings include checklists and questionnaires regarding language, thinking, behavior, movement, and emotions.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children undergo developmental screenings at certain ages as part of their regular wellness checkups even if there are no signs of any developmental problems. The AAP recommends performing general screenings at the 9, 18, and 30-month checkups, as well as screening for autism at both 18 and 24 months.

Signs and Red Flags

Studies from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicate that one out of every four kids between the ages of birth and five years is at risk for developmental delays. Pediatricians conduct developmental screenings at certain wellness checkups, but it is also important for parents and caregivers to recognize certain signs and red flags and seek additional screening. Some signs associated with certain developmental delays and the need for screening include:

• Poor eye contact
• Coordination problems
• Limited facial expressions
• Delays in crawling, walking, talking, and other milestones
• Not connecting actions with consequences
• Trouble with fine motor skills
• Difficulty following rules
• Impulsiveness
• Hyperactivity

Early Intervention Services

Identifying developmental delays and treating them early on leads to better outcomes and can significantly improve development. For instance, children under the age of three years who receive needed intervention services can learn and acquire skills to help them develop on schedule, whereas untreated development concerns in older kids might require special education services.

Developmental issues can be treated through various intervention therapies and services. The right service, therapy, or treatment will depend on the particular developmental delay, as well as the child’s individual needs. Examples of intervention services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioral therapy.

Developmental screenings are effective diagnostic tools for identifying developmental delays so they can be addressed promptly when they are easier to overcome. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Mohammed to learn more about developmental screenings by calling Midwest Care Pediatrics in Villa Park, IL, at (708) 795-5502.