Developmental Screening
Developmental Screening
As parents, we sometimes wonder, "How is my child developing?" We can support you with two ways to answer this question:
- ASQ: At home (or with us at a playgroup or a home visit), complete the ASQ (Ages & Stages) Questionnaire for young children and we will interpret it for you
- Preschool screening: We offer 30 minute screenings with a licensed preschool teacher for children aged 3 & 4. This can give a more in-depth understanding of your child’s areas of strength and growth.
Early identification of communication, motor, problem-solving, or social-emotional challenges can make all the difference to a young child. The proof is crystal clear: the earlier a concern is identified, the greater the chance a child has for reaching his or her full potential in life.
1. ASQ
The ASQ is a perfect way to keep track of milestones and celebrate them as your child grows and develops!
The ASQ Questionnaire is a simple, free, and powerful parent assessment tool that is highly recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. If you prefer to fill it out with a paper form, let us know (call 413-587-1471 or email earlychildhood@northampton-k12.us).
It will take you 10-15 minutes to fill out either the ASQ-3 or the ASQ-SE2 questionnaire. Once completed and submitted, an early childhood development specialist in the Northampton Public Schools will look at it and get back to you with a snapshot of your child's development.
When you click on the link, you will be given a few options. Here's how to decide what to pick:
- ASQ-3: Assesses GENERAL developmental progress in children between the ages of one month to 5 ½ years.
- Areas covered: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social.
- ASQ-SE2: Assesses SOCIO-EMOTIONAL developmental progress in children between the ages of one month to six years.
- Areas covered: self-regulation, compliance, social-communication, adaptive functioning, autonomy, affect, and interaction with people.
You can complete one or both. You can come back and do it again at intervals as your child grows and develops, so you have a snapshot of how they are unfolding in the physical, emotional, social, mental, and communication areas of their lives.
2. Preschool Screenings
What is a preschool screening? It is a 30-minute meeting where your child aged 3 or 4 plays games led by a preschool teacher using the Battelle Developmental Inventory. Translation is available, and will be a 45 minute screening to allow for translation time. Within a few days of the screening, the teacher shares their findings with you. Either your child passes, or the inventory finds one or more developmental areas where your child could use some extra support to grow. If so, the teacher will recommend a more in-depth evaluation to see if they qualify for free special education services from Northampton Public Schools.
If your child is under 3 years old, please contact either REACH or Criterion for free Early Intervention services. Available for any town.
- Criterion Riverway: 413-727-8552
- REACH: 413-665-8717
If your child is between 3-5 years old, please contact the Early Childhood Center at the Northampton Public Schools for a free evaluation.
- Call 413-587-1465
- Email earlychildhood@northampton-k12.us
If you wonder if your infant, toddler, or young child is struggling with an aspect of growth, please take action now. There are known ways that trained local professionals can help them learn better skills in areas of speech, motor control, social/emotional skills, daily activities, and can work with you to continue these skills with activities at home. Your community wants to support you, your child, and your family, and has free ways to do so! You are not alone.
A small amount of help in early childhood can pay off with amazing results!
Young children's brains and bodies are uniquely able to grow in healthy directions, with the right support. Growing and learning is what they do! A trellis, placed at the right time, can support a plant to grow as high as it can.