As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. You notice the little things: how they reach for a toy, the way they respond when you call their name, the words they use and the ones they do not. Sometimes you might wonder whether what you are seeing is typical for their age or whether it is something worth discussing with a professional.
That is exactly what developmental screenings are designed to help with. They are brief, standardized tools that give parents and professionals a snapshot of how a child is developing across key areas, including communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and social-emotional behavior. They are not diagnostic tests. They are simply a way to identify children who may benefit from a closer look or early support.
At BrightRoots, we offer free developmental screenings for children from birth through age five as part of our commitment to ensuring that every child has the best possible start.
Why Early Screening Matters
The first five years of life are a period of extraordinary brain development. During this time, children build the neural pathways that will support learning, behavior, and health for the rest of their lives. When developmental delays or differences are identified early, interventions can be put in place during the window when the brain is most responsive to support.
Research shows that early intervention services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or specialized early education, are significantly more effective when they begin before age three. Children who receive timely support are more likely to enter school on par with their peers and less likely to need intensive services later on.
Unfortunately, many delays go undetected until a child enters school, by which point valuable time has been lost. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six children has a developmental disability, but fewer than half are identified before starting kindergarten. Routine screening helps close that gap.
What a Screening Looks Like
If you have never been through a developmental screening, it is natural to feel uncertain about what to expect. At BrightRoots, we work hard to make the process comfortable, welcoming, and stress-free for both parents and children.
A typical screening appointment lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. A trained child development specialist will observe your child during play-based activities designed to assess skills in several areas.
Communication. Does your child use words, gestures, or sounds to express themselves? Do they understand simple directions? Can they follow a short conversation?
Gross motor skills. Can your child walk, run, climb, and balance in ways that are typical for their age? Are their movements coordinated and confident?
Fine motor skills. Can your child hold a crayon, stack blocks, turn pages, or use utensils? These skills indicate how well the small muscles in the hands and fingers are developing.
Problem-solving. Does your child show curiosity? Can they figure out how simple toys or puzzles work? Do they experiment with different approaches when something does not work the first time?
Social-emotional development. Does your child interact with others? Do they show a range of emotions? Can they manage transitions and cope with frustration in age-appropriate ways?
You will also be asked to complete a brief parent questionnaire. Your observations as a parent are a critical part of the screening because you see your child in contexts that no professional can replicate.
Understanding the Results
After the screening, the specialist will review the results with you right away. There are generally three possible outcomes.
First, your child's development may be on track across all areas. In this case, the specialist will share age-appropriate activities and milestones to watch for at home and recommend a follow-up screening in six to twelve months.
Second, the screening may indicate that your child is developing typically in most areas but could benefit from monitoring in one or two areas. The specialist will provide targeted strategies you can use at home and schedule a follow-up to track progress.
Third, the screening may suggest that further evaluation is warranted. This does not mean there is a confirmed delay or diagnosis. It means that a more detailed assessment by a specialist, such as a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or developmental pediatrician, would be helpful. The BrightRoots team will help you understand next steps and connect you with appropriate professionals in the community.
Common Questions Parents Ask
Will a screening label my child? No. A screening is not a diagnosis. It is simply a check-in to see how your child is developing compared to general milestones. The goal is to provide support, not to assign labels.
What if I am told my child needs further evaluation? Try not to worry. A referral for further evaluation is a positive step. It means you are being proactive about your child's development, and any support that is recommended will only help your child reach their full potential.
How often should my child be screened? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months of age, with additional autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months. BrightRoots offers screenings on an ongoing basis, and we encourage families to participate at least once a year.
Is there a cost? No. All developmental screenings at BrightRoots are completely free, regardless of income, insurance, or enrollment status.
Schedule a Screening
If your child is between birth and age five and has not had a recent developmental screening, we encourage you to schedule one. BrightRoots holds monthly screening events at our learning center, and we also offer screenings at partner locations throughout the community.
You do not need to have a specific concern to request a screening. In fact, most children who are screened are developing typically. The value of screening is in the peace of mind it provides and in the early identification of the small number of children who could benefit from additional support.
To schedule a screening or learn more, visit our programs page or contact our Family Engagement team. We are here to support you and your child at every stage.