Developmental Screenings

What developmental disabilities are most common?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 17% of children ages 3-17 have a developmental disability. Developmental conditions can affect your child’s physical development or their behavioral, learning, or language development.

There are many different developmental disabilities, but some of the most common include:

• Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Hearing loss
• Language and speech disorders
• Learning disabilities

Although many developmental conditions start before birth or shortly after, many children aren’t diagnosed until they start attending school.

Does my child need a developmental screening?

Developmental milestones like smiling at others and learning to walk are important markers in your child’s growth, but every child develops at their own pace. There’s no “right” time that your child must achieve these milestones, but not meeting them may indicate developmental delays.

Milestones act as a general guide, and the team at Pediatrics of Southwest Houston helps you monitor your child’s development. At your child’s routine wellness checks, your pediatrician looks for signs of developmental delays and other issues. 

Your child may benefit from a developmental screening if you or your pediatrician think they could have a developmental delay. Ask the team about scheduling a developmental screening if you’re concerned about the way your child plays, moves, learns, or acts. 

How do developmental screenings work?

Developmental screenings are designed to identify cognitive, communication, motor, and social-emotional delays that affect your child’s development. The pediatric team works through a series of questionnaires or checklists to assess your child’s development against extensive research.

Screening is the first step to better understanding your child’s health. Depending on the results of the test, your pediatrician may recommend additional testing or a treatment plan to help your child manage their condition in daily life.

If your child has a developmental disability, early identification can make a big difference as they grow. Getting a diagnosis early on helps get them the support they need to thrive and succeed at home, at school, and with friends.

Don’t wait to schedule your child’s developmental screening. Learn more about the signs of developmental delay and how you can support your child at Pediatrics of Southwest Houston. Contact the office over the phone or online for an appointment.

*We accept medicaid. Pediatricians are affiliated with Memorial Hermann.