Developmental and Behavioral Screening Tests

Developmental and behavioral screening tests look at how your child is developing. The screenings are made up of checklists and questionnaires for parents. They include questions about your child's language, movement, thinking, behavior, and emotions.

Many of the questions are based on developmental milestones. Developmental milestones are skills and behaviors that show up in babies and children reach at certain ages as they grow. They can include smiling for the first time, rolling over, and walking.

The screenings compare your child's milestones to those of other children of the same age. If a screening shows your child is developing at a slower rate, it may be a sign of a developmental disability. Developmental disabilities are conditions that begin during a child's developmental period and can cause physical, learning, language, or behavior issues.

These conditions may cause challenges in completing daily tasks and last through the person’s lifetime. They include: Intellectual disabilities (IDs). These conditions cause limitations in mental abilities.

People with IDs often need help with learning and daily living skills.; Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is a disorder that affects behavior, communication, and social skills.; Cerebral palsy (CP). This is a condition that affects movement, coordination, and balance.; Deafness or other hearing problems; Developmental and behavioral screening tests don't diagnose these conditions, but they can show if your child is not developing on schedule.

If the screening tool finds an area of concern, a trained specialist may do a formal developmental evaluation. This could involve observation of your child, tests, and/or having you complete a questionnaire. The results of a formal developmental evaluation help determine if your child needs treatment.

When developmental disabilities are found and treated early, it can help to improve your child's life. Early treatment, known as early intervention, helps children learn important skills and make the most of their strengths.

How to prepare

There are no special preparations needed for this screening.

Other names for this test

Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Child Development Inventories (CDI)