Development monitoring
Developmental monitoring is observing how a child grows and changes over time to see if they are reaching developmental milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move at each age. Parents, grandparents, early childhood caregivers, and other caregivers can participate in developmental monitoring. You can use one short checklist of milestones to see how a child develops. If you notice that your child is not reaching a milestone, talk to your child’s doctor.
When you take your child to their doctor for each well-child visit, it is important to talk about the child’s development. Your child’s health care provider will ask questions about their development as they interact with your child to see if they are meeting milestones that most children their age can handle. A missed milestone can be a sign of a developmental delay. If your child is missing a milestone, or if either of you have concerns about how they are developing, the doctor may do a developmental screening test as the next step. By asking questions and sharing any concerns you may have with your child’s doctor, you can understand how your child is doing and learn ways to support your child’s development.
Developmental screening
Developmental screening takes a closer look at how your child is developing. The tools used for developmental screening are formal questionnaires or checklists based on research that ask questions about a child’s development, including language, movement, thinking, behavior and emotions. Developmental screening can be done by your child’s health care provider and by other health care, early childhood education, community, or school professionals who have been trained to use these tools.
Developmental screening is more formal than developmental monitoring and is recommended for all children of certain ages.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental screening for all children during regular well-child visits at least at these ages1:
- 9 months
- 18 months
- 30 months
In addition, the AAP recommends that all children be screened specifically for autism during regular well visits to:
If your child misses one of these child visits, or a screening was not carried out at those times, it must be carried out at the next visit. Your child should also receive a screening at other times if you or your child’s doctor are concerned about their development.
If your child’s health care provider does not regularly check your child with a developmental screening test, you can ask them to do so.
Why developmental monitoring and screening is important
Identifying developmental delays and disabilities early helps children and families. Developmental monitoring and screening work together to help identify developmental issues so children and families can get the services and supports they need as early as possible.
Early development efforts support the child by helping him at home, at school and in the community.
Developmental disabilities are common. In the United States, about 1 in 6 children aged 3 to 17 have one or more developmental disabilities, such as autism or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Early intervention and follow-up
When a developmental concern is identified, further evaluation through the state’s early intervention system is often the next step. Health care providers and anyone who works with young children can refer families to early intervention for assessment. Families can also refer themselves directly.
Joining the early intervention system will lead to several steps to assess the child’s development. Depending on these results, the child may be eligible to receive services from the program to help the family support their child’s development.
Each state and territory has its own system for children who are eligible.
- State early intervention programs usually provide developmental services to children from birth to age 3, with some states also serving older children
- Local public school systems typically provide developmental services and supports for children ages 3 and older
This page on early intervention provides a brief overview of services and eligibility processes, along with key switches for each state and territory.
Although early intervention is important, intervention at any age can be helpful. Contact your child’s doctor or your state program if you have any concerns about your child’s development.
