What is Screening and Assessment?

Screening and assessment tools are used to determine if a child's skills are developing appropriately or whether there is evidence of a developmental delay. Screening and assessment do not lead to a diagnosis but may help professionals determine if a child may be at risk for a developmental disorder and if further evaluation is warranted. Screening generally differs from assessment in regard to its indepthness. Screening and assessment tools are an important initial step in determining whether a child may need extra attention so that intervention may begin as early as possible.


According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "when a developmental delay is not recognized early, children must wait to get the help they need. This can make it hard for them to learn when they start school. In the United States, 17 percent of children have a developmental or behavioral disability such as autism, intellectual disability (also known as mental retardation) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In addition, many children have delays in language or other areas. But, less than half of children with problems are identified before starting school. During this time, the child could have received help for these problems and may even have entered school more ready to learn." (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/DevelopmentalScreening.pdf)