Developmental screening tests assess mental, physical, and behavioral growth in children to identify any delays. They can diagnose disorders such as mental retardation, autism, and ADHD. Early screening can help parents evaluate treatment options.
Developmental screening tests are designed for infants, preschoolers, and school-aged children to measure whether developmental delays exist. These developmental screening tests analyze whether a child is exhibiting normal mental, physical, and behavioral growth compared to other children of the same age. Testing can help identify developmental delays so parents can evaluate treatment options early.
Three major disorders can be diagnosed through developmental screening tests: mental retardation, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Screening a child at different stages of growth can uncover any of these disorders that affect learning, social interaction, and physical development. Doctors typically evaluate motor skills, language skills, emotional responses, and behavioral conduct when conducting developmental screening tests.
Evaluation of the newborn may detect a metabolic disorder called phenylketonuric acid (PKU), which regulates the level of an enzyme needed for normal growth. Too much of this enzyme can affect the brain and hinder normal development. If PKU is discovered, the baby may be given a special diet soon after birth to ward off developmental delays. Infant screening can also detect more than 20 other disorders through tandem mass spectrometry testing. These tests use a drop of blood taken from the baby’s heel shortly after birth.
Children typically undergo additional developmental screening tests twice within the next two years. An assessment can determine whether your child talks, crawls, and walks normally for her age. Preschool screening tests are generally recommended to determine if there are behavioral problems that could be affecting a child’s academic performance. At this age, the child is commonly tested for his level of attention, visual perception and mental growth.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by impulsive behavior and learning disabilities. Developmental screening tests for this condition look at family history of learning problems, educational progress, and communication skills. Children with this disorder may be easily distracted and forgetful and talk excessively, creating problems in the classroom. A child with ADHD may not be able to complete schoolwork because her attention span decreases.
Developmental screening tests for autism measure a child’s interaction with parents and other children. The child may test intelligence normally, but be unable to bond with others. A child with autism commonly avoids eye contact and prefers isolation. It may be ultrasensitive to light, sound, or touch. These children typically crave routine and may fixate on a particular object or toy.
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