Developmental Screening in Your Community

Field: Health Professions (Health Sciences)

Early detection of developmental and behavioral problems in young children is an important public health issue. Developmental Screening in Your Community: An Integrated Approach for Connecting Children with Services addresses the nuts and bolts of achieving screening success. It is a comprehensive view of the process aimed at clinicians and community agencies engaged in early identification or those considering implementation of a program in their community. The 2 primary goals of the books are to (1) emphasize the importance of universal, periodic, early screening to ensure timely delivery of care to children with developmental and behavioral problems and (2) to outline a systems approach to early detection that offers a framework that can be adopted by a broad range of communities. The authors begin with a discussion of the need for early detection in the context of the history of maternal and child health and special education laws. The first chapter begins with a discussion of the prevalence of developmental delays and the importance of early identification. The barriers to implementation of early detection systems and the outcomes of early intervention programs are reviewed. The next chapter provides an overview of the federal initiatives including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Current systems and diverse approaches to early detection are reviewed in the context of health care providers, school systems, early intervention organizations, and other community entities. Specific steps necessary in the screening process are discussed in the context of 14 global screening measures. The authors envision a systems approach to early detection through the development of a community-based structure with a goal of universal screening. The systems approach identifies 2 essential processes (coordinating and checking/verifying) and 6 content components (program goals, community awareness, contact and referral, developmental-behavioral screening, follow-up, and overall evaluation). A successful program requires all of the components to occur with coordination between the different components to ensure that all parts of the system work together. In the final sections of the book, diverse models for early detection systems are analyzed. This is particularly valuable to a readership with exposure to programs in different settings including the medical home, schools, social services settings, and statewide systems. The discussion on medical home settings is robust and will interest office and clinic-based clinicians caring for young children. The algorithm of the essential components of a program is thoughtful and comprehensive. Advantages and disadvantages of specific screening tools appropriate to an office setting are reviewed. The section on statewide systems provides a framework for a larger community to streamline the process of early detection for different populations; examples of programs in several states illustrate diverse strategies to a systems approach. For the clinician, educator, social service agency, or other professionals interested in early detection of developmental and behavior problems, this book provides an evidence base for implementing screening programs and provides concrete examples programs that that can be initiated on a small or large scale. The authors recognize both the financial and infrastructure implications of a large scale program; they guide the reader in practical ways to start small and expand as resources allow. The book is occasionally repetitious, particularly to a knowledgeable professional; however, this serves to consolidate the salient points. This book provides a logical and applicable framework for the screening process and is relevant to anyone interested in or implementing a screening program in their community.