26,36,37 The AAP and the British Joint Working Party on Child Health Services recommend developmental surveillance as an effective means to identify children with developmental delay. 33–35 Developmental screening and developmental surveillance constitute ongoing processes of monitoring the status of a child by gathering information about his development from multiple sources, including skillful direct observation from parents/caregivers and relevant professionals. 31,32 It has been estimated that only about half of the children with developmental problems are detected before they join the school. Approximately 10 to 20% of young children will experience delays 28–30 with significantly higher rates among children who live in poverty. 25–27To be eligible for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services, children must qualify in terms of impairment or delay. 24 An effective screening tool should be inexpensive, simple, accurate, valid, reliable, culturally appropriate, easy, and quick to administer. 19,21 To emphasize the importance of developmental screening in early childhood, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developmental screening policy has included the following strong statement: “Early identification of developmental disorders is critical to the well-being of children and their families.” 22,23 Developmental screening can be thought of as a preliminary step in the identification of risk at school-age children. Optimal development and early identification and detection of delays rely on developmental screening. 13–17 It has been shown that high-quality EI and ECSE improve children's developmental outcomes. 12 Early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE) serve a growing number of young children with developmental delays and their families. 10,11 To meet the needs of children during the most important phase of their growth, many countries have established programs and facilities designed to mitigate disabilities. 7–9Early intervention for children with developmental delay is crucial for enhancing their outcomes. 4–6 It has been estimated that only about half of the children with developmental problems are detected before they begin school. 2,3 Early identification of developmental disabilities is essential for timely remedial intervention and leads to early treatment and ultimately improved long-term outcomes. 1,2 Early intervention services can provide educational and therapeutic services to children who are at risk.
Early childhood is a critical period because the first five years of life are fundamentally important, and early experiences provide the base for brain development and functioning throughout life.
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