There are many ways to detect children’s disabilities early. One way is to have the child screened at birth by a pediatrician or other medical professional. Newborns in the United States are required to have a hearing test within their first month of life. Other tests such as vision and developmental screenings are recommended but not required.
Parents can also look for signs of developmental delays themselves. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents use the “Ages & Stages Questionnaires” to screen their child’s development at ages 4 months 8 months 16 months 24 months and 30-36 months. These questionnaires can be found online or through a child’s doctor.
Early detection of a child’s disability
It is important to detect a disability early in a child’s life so that they can receive the necessary support and interventions. Early detection can also help to prevent further difficulties from developing.
There are a number of ways that disabilities can be detected including through developmental screening and assessments health check-ups and parent or caregiver observations. Developmental screening is a quick and easy way to identify children who may have delays or disabilities. Health check-ups are another way to detect disabilities as many conditions can be picked up through physical examinations or blood tests.
Finally parents and caregivers are often in the best position to notice if a child is not meeting their developmental milestones or is displaying unusual behaviours.
If you have any concerns about your child\’s development it is important to speak to your doctor or another healthcare professional. They will be able to carry out further assessments and provide you with information about available support
How to find out if your child has a disability?
If you think your child may have a disability it is important to get them evaluated as soon as possible. Many children with disabilities can benefit from early intervention services which are best provided when started young.
There are a few different ways to get your child evaluated for a disability. You can contact your local school district and ask to have your child evaluated by the school’s special education team. You can also contact your state’s early intervention program if your child is under 3 years old. You can also contact private organizations that provide evaluations though these will likely come at a cost.
If you are not able to get an evaluation through any of these methods you can always contact your child’s doctor and ask for a referral to a specialist.