Children learn many different skills throughout their lives. Such skills include taking a first step, eating with a fork, and having back and forth conversations. The CDC has created a development milestones checklist for ages throughout the first five years. For more information, click here.

Developmental screening is a process used to identify concerns about a child’s development.  Screening alone is not enough to identify a developmental concern. Rather, it helps providers and parents decide whether to seek further evaluation by a qualified professional. The earlier a delay is identified, the earlier a child can receive additional support and services.   About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental and behavioral screening for all children during regular well-child visits at the ages of 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months.  Ask the doctor about your child’s developmental screening.  Easter Seals provides FREE access to Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition, one of the many general developmental screening tools.

For children ages birth to three, contact your local Child & Family Connections (CFC) office to request a developmental screening.

Region #16                          Champaign, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties

Region #19                          Douglas, Piatt, and Macon counties

For child 3-5 years old, contact your local school district.

For additional information, click to refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Developmental Disabilities.