Developmental Screening

 

Help Me Grow Alaska is committed to the goal of universal standardized developmental screening for all of Alaska’s kids.

 

Developmental screening is a standardized set of questions about different aspects of a child’s abilities including language, movement, thinking, behavior and emotions.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends every child be screened at 9, 18 and 24-30 months or whenever a caregiver has a concern.  Going through the process of a developmental screen can be both fun and educational.  Many tools use activities children already engage in or view as games to assess milestones.  When done with a caregiver, it can give ideas for new activities to try with your child as well as help you to understand the types of skills your child may be developing at each new stage.

It is important to ensure your child receives screening both so you as a caregiver can help encourage healthy development, and also to find potential areas of concern early.  Many potential delays, if caught early, can be monitored or addressed so children do not experience long-term effects.

Some medical and child care providers offer screening on a regular basis as a part of well child checks or through their programmatic curriculum.  If your child has not been screened, you can access screening for free through Help Me Grow Alaska.

There are many validated tools for developmental screening.  Help Me Grow Alaska uses the Ages and Stages Questionnaire version 3 both on paper and online.  Click on the buttons on this page to access an online screening, or call one of our family support specialists to be mailed a paper copy.

Ages & Stages Questionnaire

Walk with your child through standardized questions that assess their abilities, including language, movement, thinking, behavior and emotions! The Ages & Stages Questionnaire®, Third Edition (ASQ-3™) is absolutely FREE and pinpoints developmental progress in children between the ages of one month and 5 ½ years. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends every child be screened at 9, 18 and 24-30 months or whenever a caregiver has a concern.

Going through the process of a developmental screening can be both fun and educational! Many tools use activities children already engage in or view as games to assess milestones. The screening can provide ideas for new activities to try with your child as well as help you to understand the types of skills your child may be developing at each new stage.

If you would like to take the ASQ-3 with your children through our website, all you need to do is click on the link below.  After you have submitted your ASQ-3 screening, it will be interpreted by our trained Family Support Specialists, who will then reach back out to you with a phone call to go over the results and advise on any suggested next steps.

 

Take The ASQ-3 Now for Free!

 

If you would like to receive a paper copy of the ASQ-3 by mail, contact one of our family support specialists.

Looking for more resources on developmental screening? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information about developmental monitoring, screening and evaluation as well as many tools to support parents in doing developmental monitoring at home. Simply visit CDC Developmental Monitoring and Screening.

 

For Providers

Help Me Grow Alaska commissioned a report to research and analyze options for statewide data and reporting needs specific to developmental screenings. The project also included an assessment of the current systems of data sharing, examining and assessing existing limitations to this system, and

recommendations for restructuring the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) online system.  Download and read the full HMG-AK Development Screening In Alaska Report.

Do you need training on administering developmental screening in your program?  Visit the “Training” page for more information!

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