You probably already know how important early identification of developmental delays (including hearing, speech and language) is for the health and well being of infants and toddlers, but did you know that less than half of pediatricians screen for developmental delays?
In a study released this week by the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics it was found that nearly half of pediatricians almost always screen for developmental delays during checkups. The physicians were tracked from 2002 to 2009 and a significant increase was seen (from 23 percent to 48), however there is still a long way to go to ensure best care for our little ones. If a doctor detects a delay early, a family can begin intervention treatments improving the chances for progress in school and life.
If you have a concern with the development of your child, we encourage you to ask your physician to conduct a screening, or follow up with specialists in the field of concern.