# 13 Tips for Sharing Social-Emotional Screening Results with Families

January 7, 2025

Is your early childhood program using ASQ®:SE-2 for social-emotional screening yet? A recent [final rule from the Administration for Children and Families](https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/policy/article/overview-fact-sheet) (ACF) emphasized the importance of screening for social and emotional development and following up with parents, and ASQ:SE-2 is the tool your program needs to do both effectively. (See why in [**this blog post**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/asqse-2-your-key-to-meeting-new-guidelines-for-social-emotional-screening/)!)

It’s important to always share ASQ:SE-2 results with families. They’ll be interested in learning about their child’s social-emotional development, and they’ll be important partners in helping their children make progress. Use these practical tips to prepare carefully for your discussions with families after social-emotional screening—especially when you’ll be sharing results that indicate a child needs further assessment.

**Be timely.** Provide screening follow-up information as quickly as you can.

**Restate the purpose of screening.** Remind parents that screening is a check of their child’s social-emotional development. ASQ:SE-2 only shows that their child may need further assessment; it does not diagnose their child.

**Show you value confidentiality.** Be sure the setting for your conversation is private and assure parents that what you share is confidential.

**Use the ASQ:SE-2 Parent Conference Sheet.** This sheet will help you organize your thoughts and take notes during the conversation or parent conference. (The sheet is included in the [ASQ:SE-2 Starter Kit](https://products.brookespublishing.com/ASQSE-2-Starter-Kit-P852.aspx) and the [Social-Emotional Screening Toolkit](/content/resource-library/social-emotional-screening-toolkit/index.html).)

**Listen to the family.** Give parents an opportunity to express their perceptions of their child. Be open to new ideas and viewpoints.

**Highlight strengths.** Review the ASQ:SE-2 results, emphasizing the child’s social-emotional strengths. (Hint: All items with a score of 0 points are strengths for the child.) Also, be sure to focus on a family’s current skills and resources.

**Explain the child’s results.** Be precise—use language such as _well above the cutoff_, _close to the cutoff_, and _below the cutoff_ when explaining the child’s scores.

**Be sensitive and positive.** Avoid using terms like _fail_, _normal_, or _abnormal_.

**Examine concerns together.** Discuss any concerns, and provide specific, objective examples of children’s social-emotional development whenever possible.

**Discuss anything that may have affected the child’s scores.** This could include the child’s health history or specific cultural or environmental factors.

**Offer guidance.** Provide information about social-emotional development. If a child’s score is above the cutoff or if the parent has concerns, provide information about community resources and referral options.

**Talk about next steps in social-emotional development.** If the child’s social-emotional development is on track, talk with parents about what skills and behaviors to expect next.

**Provide learning activities that families can try at home.** Give families [fun, developmentally appropriate activities](https://products.brookespublishing.com/ASQSE-2-Learning-Activities-More-P1176.aspx) they can do with their children to promote social-emotional development. Let them know they’ll have an opportunity to discuss their child’s development again in the future. (Rescreen in 6–12 months if possible.)

### FREE DOWNLOAD: Social-Emotional Screening Toolkit

This practical toolkit will help your program get started with social-emotional screening using ASQ:SE-2! Use these handouts, tip sheets, charts, and other resources to effectively implement ASQ:SE-2, involve families in the screening process, and boost a child’s social-emotional development between screenings.

[GET IT NOW](https://agesandstages.com/free-social-emotional-screening-toolkit/)