Choosing A TOOL
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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. |
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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.
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