Presenters
- Anindita Chaudhuri, MA, Doctoral Student, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Susan Forman, PhD, Professor, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Amy Norton, MA, Developmental Specialist, Children’s Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, NJ
- Jill Harris, PhD, Director of Autism Research, Children’s Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, NJ
- Jeffrey Shahidullah, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Summary
Early identification of young children at developmental risk is important for linkage to needed services. Yet, despite guidelines for developmental screening, many pediatricians do not systematically use screening tools. Because many young children spend time in childcare settings, conducting screening in these settings may improve rates of early identification. 356 childcare providers who attended brief developmental screening training were surveyed about practices and perceptions related to implementation of screening in the childcare setting. Most respondents strongly agreed that developmental screening should be conducted in childcare centers, that it is important for staff to discuss developmental concerns with parents and to link children with concerns to resources, and that their center director supported used of the screening tool. Several attitudes both about developmental screening and about organizational support had a positive and significant relationship with current use and intended future use of developmental screening tools. Findings suggest that even brief staff training may positively impact screening attitudes and practices, although follow-up technical assistance may result in fuller, more effective implementation.
Objectives
- Identify the need to developmental screening to occur early in the lifespan in order for children to be linked with appropriate evaluation and support services
- Describe potential implementation barriers and facilitates identified by childcare providers when attempting to screen children for developmental concerns
- Recognize how novel approaches to screening, such as within the daycare setting, can potentially increase early recognition of developmental concerns
