Developmental Screening

Developmental screenings are essential tools that identify signs of language, motor, cognitive, and behavioral problems at an early stage. You can depend on board-certified physician Arun Amaram, MD, along with their team at North Dallas Primary Care Doctors, to assess if your child is meeting milestones and recommend the next steps, if needed, to improve their skills. Call, book online, or walk into the Frisco, Texas, office today if you have any concerns about your child’s development.

What are developmental screenings?

Developmental screenings show if your child is meeting their developmental milestones for:

• Language and speech
• Motor skills (physical movement and coordination)
• Learning (cognitive development)
• Social and emotional development
• Behavioral skills

Milestones define the skills and behaviors that children should meet at each age for all these categories.

When should my child have developmental screenings?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental screening for every child during the following well-child visits:

• 9 months
• 18 months
• 30 months

The AAP also suggests that children undergo screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 18 and 24 months.

The caring team at North Dallas Primary Care Doctors could recommend earlier or more frequent screenings if your child is at high risk for developmental delays. A preterm birth or exposure to an environmental toxin like lead are two examples of issues that would increase their risk.

Which concerns might be identified during developmental screenings?

The goal of screening is to identify developmental delays and signs of developmental disabilities, including autism, intellectual disabilities, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Developmental delays occur when a child is slower to reach the expected milestones compared to their peers.

Each child develops at a different pace, and the milestones are tailored to account for this. They use a generous age range that allows for differences between children.

However, the milestones are still accurate enough to reveal potential delays. Children can overcome delays with tutoring and/or therapy, so the earlier it’s identified, the sooner they can restore their skills.

Developmental disabilities are different because they’re lifelong conditions. These conditions affect many aspects of your child’s life and need specialized, often intensive, therapy.

What happens during developmental screenings?

The tools for developmental screening include a standardized questionnaire for each age, stage, and skill. The team could ask parents or caregivers to complete a form with questions about their child’s skills, behaviors, and daily activities.

Your provider might also spend time playing with your child, asking them to do brief tasks. Or they may observe you interacting with them while watching for signs of concern.

A development screening identifies potential problems. However, it’s not a diagnosis. If concerns arise, your provider will discuss them with you and recommend the testing needed to diagnose the condition.

Call North Dallas Primary Care Doctors or use the online scheduler to book a developmental screening appointment today.