phb-bricker-all.indb
Developmental Screening in Your Community
An Integrated Approach for Connecting Children with Services
by
Diane Bricker, Ph.D.
College of Education University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
Marisa Macy, Ph.D.
Lycoming College Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Jane Squires, Ph.D.
College of Education University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
and
Kevin Marks, M.D., FAAP
PeaceHealth Medical Group Eugene, Oregon Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine Division of General Pediatrics Portland, Oregon
Contents
I The Need and Background
1 Volume Overview and Purpose
2 Early Detection of Developmental Problems in Young Children
3 Current Status: Early Detection/Child Find Activities
4 Developmental- Behavioral Screening Measures
II The Process
5 A Framework for Early Detection/Child Find: A Systems Approach
6 Early Detection Systems: Medical Home Settings
7 Early Detection/Child Find in Education Settings
8 Early Detection/Child Find: Social Services Settings
9 Statewide Early Detection/Child Find Systems
10 Technology- Based Early Detection/Child Find Systems
11 Universal Early Detection: Reaching the Goal
About the Authors
Diane Bricker, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita and former director of the College of Education’s Early Intervention Program at the University of Oregon. She has focused her professional and research interests on young children within their family context who are at risk and who have disabilities. Dr. Bricker has an abiding interest in the preparation of early intervention leadership personnel.
Marisa Macy, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Education at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She conducts research in assessment, intervention, and personnel preparation.
Jane Squires, Ph.D., is Professor of Special Education/Early Intervention and Director of the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and Center on Human Development at the University of Oregon.
Kevin Marks, M.D., FAAP, is a full-time general pediatrician and part-time pediatric hospitalist at PeaceHealth Medical Group in Eugene, Oregon.
A Framework for Early Detection/Child Find
As noted in Chapter 1, this volume has two important goals. The first is to emphasize the importance of early detection as the most effective way to minimize the effects of physical or developmental problems on young children and to discuss the array of available data and information associated with early detection/Child Find activities in the United States. The second is to present a framework for early detection/Child Find based on a systems approach that offers a flexible structure that can be adapted to accommodate variations in community settings, personnel, populations, and resources.
DEFINITIONS
We have chosen to use early detection/Child Find as the umbrella terms to refer to the entire process of informing, finding, screening, and following up children who may have a physical or developmental-behavioral problem(s).
SYSTEMS APPROACH PROCESSES
The two essential processes of the proposed systems approach for early detection/ Child Find are the coordinating and checking/verifying processes.
SYSTEMS APPROACH CONTENT COMPONENTS
The proposed systems approach is composed of six distinct but linked content components:
- Program Goals,
- Community Awareness,
- Contact and Referral,
- Developmental-Behavioral Screening,
- Follow-up, and
- Overall Evaluation.
Component 1: Program Goals
The purpose of this component is to provide the necessary guidance for the selection and implementation of activities associated with the other five components of the approach.
Outcome
The outcome for component 1 is a written document that contains clearly stated goals.
Component 2: Community Awareness
The purpose of this component is to disseminate essential information about early detection/Child Find to the community at large in a way that produces desired outcomes.
Outcome
The desired outcome for this component is that parents/caregivers and agencies/organizations contact the personnel who operate component 3, Contact and Referral, to enroll children for developmental-behavioral screening.
Component 3: Contact and Referral
The purpose of the Contact and Referral component is to accept all calls and contacts asking for information on developmental-behavioral screening and to make the appropriate referral for child and family in a timely manner.
Outcome
The desired outcome for this component is that all parent/caregiver and/or agency queries about developmental-behavioral screening are addressed in a timely manner that results in an appropriate referral.
Component 4: Developmental-Behavioral Screening
The purpose of this component is to offer a brief, first-level determination of children’s developmental/behavioral status using a formal procedure.
Outcome
The outcome for this component is that an appropriate and timely screening procedure is completed on all referred children.
Component 5: Follow-up
The purpose of this component is to share feedback following the screening assessment with parents, referring agencies, and health care professionals.
Outcomes
One outcome for this component is that the parent and the appropriate agency receive information in a timely manner and understand what the feedback means.
Component 6: Overall Evaluation
The Overall Evaluation component aims to collect and analyze the necessary data and information to ensure the system is meeting its goals.
Outcomes
The activities conducted by personnel assigned to this component should produce outcomes that address how well program goals are being met.
SUMMARY
The authors of this volume are committed to the development of a universal early detection/Child Find system for all children birth through age 5 who reside in the United States. Accurate and widespread developmental-behavioral screening is fundamental to this goal.