Which screening tool is commonly used to identify developmental delay in young children?

Which screening tool is commonly used to identify developmental delay in young children?

• A. Denver Developmental Screening Test II
• B. Purdue Pegboard
• C. Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
• D. Gross Motor Function Measure

Answer: (A)

Screening for developmental delay in young children relies on quick, broad assessments across multiple domains to flag concerns early. The Denver Developmental Screening Test II fits this purpose. It is designed as a brief screen for children from birth through 6 years, evaluating four domains: personal-social, fine motor-adaptive, language, and gross motor. Because it covers several areas in one session and is widely used in pediatrics, it helps identify children who may need a full developmental or cognitive assessment, making it the most practical first-step screening tool in typical practice. The other tools serve different purposes: the Purdue Pegboard focuses on fine motor dexterity and is not a general developmental screener; the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence measures cognitive abilities and IQ rather than screening for delays; the Gross Motor Function Measure is used to assess gross motor function in children with known motor disabilities, not broad developmental screening in the general population.

Screening for developmental delay in young children relies on quick, broad assessments across multiple domains to flag concerns early. The Denver Developmental Screening Test II fits this purpose. It is designed as a brief screen for children from birth through 6 years, evaluating four domains: personal-social, fine motor-adaptive, language, and gross motor. Because it covers several areas in one session and is widely used in pediatrics, it helps identify children who may need a full developmental or cognitive assessment, making it the most practical first-step screening tool in typical practice. The other tools serve different purposes: the Purdue Pegboard focuses on fine motor dexterity and is not a general developmental screener; the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence measures cognitive abilities and IQ rather than screening for delays; the Gross Motor Function Measure is used to assess gross motor function in children with known motor disabilities, not broad developmental screening in the general population.