Which developmental screening tool is commonly used in pediatrics to identify delays?

Which developmental screening tool is commonly used in pediatrics to identify delays?

• A. Bayley Scales of Infant Development.
• B. Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).
• C. Denver Developmental Screening Test II (Denver II).
• D. M-CHAT.

Answer: (C)

Screening in pediatrics uses standardized, quick tools to flag potential delays so kids can get a closer look when needed. The Denver Developmental Screening Test II fits this role well because it’s a brief, clinician-administered screen that covers four areas—personal-social, fine motor-adaptive, language, and gross motor—across birth through about six years. Tasks are age-appropriate and scored against norms, so a child who misses several items or fails a key item signals a potential delay and the need for further evaluation. This practical, office-friendly format makes it a common go-to for routine developmental screening. Other tools serve different purposes: the Bayley Scales are a more in-depth, comprehensive assessment rather than a quick screen; the Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a parent-completed screener that can be useful but is less about the clinician-led quick check; and the M-CHAT focuses specifically on autism risk rather than general developmental delays.

Screening in pediatrics uses standardized, quick tools to flag potential delays so kids can get a closer look when needed. The Denver Developmental Screening Test II fits this role well because it’s a brief, clinician-administered screen that covers four areas—personal-social, fine motor-adaptive, language, and gross motor—across birth through about six years. Tasks are age-appropriate and scored against norms, so a child who misses several items or fails a key item signals a potential delay and the need for further evaluation. This practical, office-friendly format makes it a common go-to for routine developmental screening.

Other tools serve different purposes: the Bayley Scales are a more in-depth, comprehensive assessment rather than a quick screen; the Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a parent-completed screener that can be useful but is less about the clinician-led quick check; and the M-CHAT focuses specifically on autism risk rather than general developmental delays.