The Alameda County Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) program assists pediatric sites to improve the early identification of children with potential special needs. ABCD integrates the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), a general standardized developmental screening tool, with anticipatory guidance offered during well-child care in the medical home, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), www.abcdresources.org. Our program currently focuses on the 18 month well child visit.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening children at 9, 18, 24, and/or 30 months using a standardized screening tool. The literature tells us that developmental surveillance alone captures only 30% of children with delays and disabilities before the age of five, as opposed to 70-80% of children identified at risk for developmental delay when using a standardized tool. Early identification of delays can promote access to early intervention and appropriate services, and hopefully eliminate or mitigate more severe or long-lasting delays. Early identification of such delays can positively impact a child’s life. The ABCD model of developmental screening can make the identification process easier and less stressful on the child, parent and provider.
ABCD General Info.pdf ABCD Readiness Assessment.pdf How to become an ABCD Site.pdf
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