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- southernillinoiscoalition@gmail.com
- 700 Logan College Rd, Carterville, IL 62918
No matter what the setting, there are several things that should be considered and/or developed before screening actually takes place. Best practices should be followed when implementation begins. The Southern Illinois Screening Collaborative supports best practices in screening through its community of practice and curating of information helpful to professionals in administering screening. This includes providing copies of forms, policies agreements, and other resources.
Implementing screening on a regular basis and utilizing best practices leaders to meaningful results and important next steps. It is essential that programs have systems in place to continuously monitor the impact of their screening, so that they can identify improvement needs and opportunities to ensure quality services.
It is important that early childhood programs and health providers have a policy in place that guides them in implementing developmental screening. The policy will include “guiding” statements and includes the following.
I. Definition of Developmental Screening
II. Who will be screened?
III. How often will they be screened?
IV. Who will implement the screening?
V. What screening tool will be used?
VI. How will the screening results be shared with families?
VII. Referral for additional screening and possible services?
Southern Illinois Families will be strong, knowledgeable and engaged, with access to the resources and supports that empower them for success.
Many early childhood programs have already chosen the tool they feel best meets the needs of their program and the Coalition has implemented policies and procedures that respects their choice.
As we move forward, programs who are just beginning the process of implementing development screening are encouraged to use ASQ-3, Ages & Stages Questionnaire. Coalition partner CCR&R provides training, materials, and support on this easy to use screening tool.
ASQ-3 is an accurate, family-friendly way to screen children for developmental delays between one month and 5½ years. It helps determine which children need further assessment or ongoing monitoring.
ASQ-3 is highly valid and reliable. ASQ-3’s questions on behavior and communication also help elicit parent concerns that may point to autism.
A 2008 Pediatrics in Review article on Selecting Developmental Surveillance and Screening Tools summarized a review of the research that was designed to help guide practitioners in the selection of valid screening instruments. The review recommended the Ages and Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ) as a parent report measure to screen both for general developmental delay and for developmental delay in at-risk (such as preterm birth or economically disadvantaged) populations.
ISBE has identified ASQ 3 on its list of research based screening instruments in its Preschool for All manual which can be found on page 20.
Procedures include more detailed are step-by-step instruction for staff to implement a screening policy, and typically addresses the following topics.
Training:
Whoever conducts developmental screening must be trained to use the tools they are administering. Training on administering the ASQ-3 is offered by CCRR at John A Logan College. Training on other instruments may be listed on the Gateways to Opportunity statewide calendar.
Parent Consent/Release Forms.
You must have consent forms signed by parents or guardians prior to conducting screenings. Sample consent forms can be found here.
Needed Materials:
Make sure you have assembled all the materials needed for the screening. A sample materials list for ASQ3 screening can be found here.
Support Parents Completion of Questionnaire:
Parents are an important part of the screening process and can be involved in a variety of ways prior to the screening. They should answer the health questions, for example, if the child was premature, or if they have any medical health issues that might impact the screening results. Parents should also have an opportunity to address any concerns they might have about their child’s development. Parents can complete the questionnaire independently and then discuss it with either a medical or educational professional who has experience with the ASQ-3 or they could complete it together with the professionals.
Administering the Screening:
Information about administering a screening tool is provided during the screening training, and is also available in the screening tool manual. For ASQ3, information about how to select the age-appropriate form, scoring the results, and interpreting the results are all covered in the training and explained in the manual. Select the appropriate screening interval; We recommend that screening be done once per year.
Scoring
: After the screening is conducted, the scores will need to be interpreted. Results typically fall into 3 areas: no concern, monitoring, and delays. If screening has been done using the ASQ.
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Procedures include more detailed are step-by-step instruction for staff to implement a screening policy, and typically addresses the following topics.
Be timely. Provide screening follow-up information as quickly as possible. Set a time that works for the family. Make sure there is enough time for discussion/questions.
Select a private, comfortable place to meet. Let the family know information shared will be kept confidential.
What is the family’s home language? Do you need an interpreter? What family members should be at the meeting?
What is the family’s home language? Do you need an interpreter? What family members should be at the meeting?
Southern Illinois Families will be strong, knowledgeable and engaged, with access to the resources and supports that empower them for success.
Many early childhood programs have already chosen the tool they feel best meets the needs of their program and the Coalition has implemented policies and procedures that respects their choice.
As we move forward, programs who are just beginning the process of implementing development screening are encouraged to use ASQ-3, Ages & Stages Questionnaire. Coalition partner CCR&R provides training, materials, and support on this easy to use screening tool.
ASQ-3 is an accurate, family-friendly way to screen children for developmental delays between one month and 5½ years. It helps determine which children need further assessment or ongoing monitoring.
ASQ-3 is highly valid and reliable. ASQ-3’s questions on behavior and communication also help elicit parent concerns that may point to autism.
A 2008 Pediatrics in Review article on Selecting Developmental Surveillance and Screening Tools summarized a review of the research that was designed to help guide practitioners in the selection of valid screening instruments. The review recommended the Ages and Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ) as a parent report measure to screen both for general developmental delay and for developmental delay in at-risk (such as preterm birth or economically disadvantaged) populations.
ISBE has identified ASQ 3 on its list of research based screening instruments in its Preschool for All manual which can be found on page 20.
