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Assessing Child Development/Health

Resources for screening and assessing child development and health, including information on the Role of health-care professionals.

ZERO TO THREE Promotes the healthy development of infants and toddlers by supporting and strengthening families, communities, and those who work on their behalf. Website includes tips and resources for parents as well as scholarly information and support for professionals. Pediatric Developmental Screening: Understanding and Selecting Screening Instruments Drotar, Stancin, Dworkin, & Haran (2008) Presents a detailed review of the scientific research on available developmental screening instruments to help inform practitioners' selections and applications of screening instruments in a range of practice settings.

Arkansas Foster Care: Project for Adolescent and Child Evaluation (PDF - 169 KB)
Georgetown University Child Development Center (2000)
Summarizes the project's efforts to meet the health-care needs of children in the foster care system through comprehensive child assessments.

Assessing the Developmental Needs of Children
Ward, Gilligan, Howe, Marchant, Dearden, Becker, & Hart (2001)
In The Child's World: Assessing Children in Need
View Abstract
Identifies the developmental needs of children that should be addressed in assessments, as well as special considerations for prenatal assessments and the assessment of children with complex needs.

Building Bridges for Babies in Foster Care: The Babies Can't Wait Initiative
Dicker & Gordon
Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 55(2), 2004
View Abstract
The "Babies Can't Wait" initiative maximizes the well-being and permanency prospects of infants in foster care. Checklists for the healthy development of foster children, as well as a detailed inquiry for infants in foster care, are included.

The Challenging World of Children: Determining Maturational Age in Children
Haines
Adoption Today, 3(4), 2001
View Abstract
An overview of assessment strategies for determining maturity level or maturational age in children, which may be different from chronological age, in order to form appropriate expectations for the child's behavior.

Developmental Assessment of the Internationally Adopted Child: Challenges and Rewards
Weitzman
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 8(3), 2003
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Key elements and challenges of the developmental evaluation of children adopted internationally. Includes a review of research findings and a discussion of applying research to clinical assessments.

Developmental Stages of Developmental Screening: Steps to Implementation of a Successful Program
Pinto-Martin, Dunkle, Earls, Fliedner, & Landes
American Journal of Public Health, 95(11), 2005
View Abstract
Discusses the pros and cons of two models of early screening for autism spectrum disorder and developmental disability.

Early Childhood Measures Profiles
Child Trends (2004)
A compendium of early childhood assessments commonly used to measure language and literacy, cognition, mathematics, social-emotional competency, and approaches to learning. (PDF - 3560 KB)

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (PDF - 710 KB)
Cohen & Kaufmann (2005)
Presents a blueprint for public and private child care providers to use when hiring a mental health consultant to provide ongoing assessments of children served in their programs.

Findings From the ABCD Screening Academy: State Strategies to Support Practice Changes That Improve Identification of Children at Risk for or With Developmental Delays (PDF - 549 KB)
Kaye & May (2009)
Outlines State approaches to enhance the delivery of child health and development services in primary care settings by improving the provider's ability to identify, assess, and treat children's developmental delays.

Help or Hindrance?: Staff Perspectives on Developmental Assessment in Multicultural Early Childhood Settings
Schuman
Mental Retardation, 40(4), 2002
View Abstract
Analyzes staff views to initiate a critique of current practice in assessment and evaluation of young children.

Improving the Odds for the Healthy Development of Young Children in Foster Care
National Center for Children in Poverty (2002)
Examines what child welfare agencies, courts, and other partners can do to improve the physical, developmental, and emotional health of young children in foster care. (PDF - 187 KB)

Innovations in Assessing and Helping Maltreated Infants and Toddlers in a Florida Court
Miami-Dade Juvenile Court
Zero to Three, 21(6), 2001
View Abstract
Overview of the Miami-Dade Juvenile Court's efforts to modify policies to focus on child development and early intervention. Activities have included the development of an assessment protocol for children ages 12-30 months and 31-60 months.

Level of Care Assessment Instrument for Children With Special Health Care Needs (PDF - 71 KB)
South Carolina Medically Fragile Children's Program (2004)
This instrument is used to identify children with chronic illnesses, functional deficits, or disabilities whose care both by caregivers and medical professionals requires specific skills and expertise.

Medical Assessment of Children Going Into Emergency Out-of-Home Placement
Children's Defense Fund
Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 14(4), 2000
View Abstract
Describes a model for medical assessments of children as they enter emergency out-of-home placement. The model involves a community partnership with the county social service department, the police department, and the hospital.

Screening for Developmental and Behavioral Problems
Glascoe
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 11(3), 2005
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Describes how to identify accurate measures and presents standards for screening tests for early detection of developmental and behavioral/mental health problems.

Step by Step: Incorporating Developmental Screening Into Programs and Services for Young Children: Birth-2-3 Best Practices (PDF - 430 KB)
Ounce of Prevention Fund (2001)
This brief describes developmental screening, including information on commonly used screening tools, and discusses ways to incorporate developmental screening into programs and services for young children.

Working Toward Relationship-Based Child Welfare Practice: The SEED Model After 5 Years
Orfirer & Kronstadt
Zero to Three, April-May 2002
View Abstract
Describes the development and utilization of the SEED (Services to Enhance Early Development) program, which provides early mental health and developmental assessments of young children as they enter foster care.

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Role of health-care professionals

High Quality Developmental Screening
Dunkle (2005)
Outlines five ways pediatricians can take the lead on providing high quality developmental screening for all children.

Pediatricians' Reported Practices Regarding Developmental Screening: Do Guidelines Work? Do They Help?
Akron Children's Hospital Neurodevelopmental Center
Pediatrics, 116(1), 2005
View Abstract
Describes the use of developmental screening tests among board-certified pediatricians practicing general pediatrics and seeks to determine the association between standardized screening and the self-reported identification of children with developmental difficulties.

Preventing Child Neglect and Physical Abuse: A Role for Pediatricians (PDF - 63 KB)
Dubowitz
Pediatrics in Review, 23(6), 2002
Principles and guidelines for pediatricians in the areas of screening, brief assessment, and initial management of problems related to child abuse and neglect.

The Role of Health Care Professionals in the Response to Child Victimization
Palusci
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 8(1/2), 2003
View Abstract
An introduction to the many roles of health-care professionals in the assessment, care, and treatment of child victimization.

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Related Information Gateway Topics Preventing child abuse & neglect: Understanding developmental stages Preventing child abuse & neglect: Role of related professionals in preventing child abuse and neglect Responding to child abuse & neglect: Medical responses Out-of-home care: Mental health issues and services Out-of-home care: Physical health issues and services Systemwide: Early childhood and child care services Systemwide: Health services

Updated on March 1, 2010