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Developmental Screening for Children (0–6 Years)

Developmental screening is the systematic use of brief, validated tools to identify children who may be at risk for developmental delays. Early identification leads to earlier intervention — and earlier intervention dramatically improves long-term outcomes.

Last reviewed: June 25, 2026

What is developmental screening?

Screening is short, structured, and validated against population norms. It is not a diagnosis — it flags children who need a fuller evaluation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening at 9, 18, 24, and 30 months, plus any time a parent has a concern.

How clinicians use the ASQ-3

The Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) covers five domains across 21 age intervals from 1 month to 5½ years. Each domain is scored against cutoffs that classify the child as on schedule, in a monitoring zone, or in need of further evaluation.

Why corrected age matters for preterm infants

For infants born before 37 weeks gestation, screening tools should be applied using corrected (adjusted) age until at least 24 months. Using chronological age in this window will systematically over-flag preterm infants for delay.