Developmental Screenings

Early identification of developmental delays is one of the most impactful things we can do for young children. BrightRoots provides free developmental screenings for children from birth through age five, helping families understand their child's growth and connecting them with support services when needed. Our screenings are conducted by trained child development specialists in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

Why Developmental Screenings Matter

What We Screen

BrightRoots uses nationally validated screening tools to assess five key areas of child development:

Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3)

The ASQ-3 is a parent-completed, professionally scored questionnaire that evaluates development across five domains:

• Communication: How your child understands and expresses language, including babbling, using words, and following directions
• Gross Motor: Large muscle skills such as rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, and climbing
• Fine Motor: Small muscle skills including grasping, stacking, drawing, cutting, and manipulating small objects
• Problem Solving: How your child explores objects, figures out how things work, and solves simple problems
• Personal-Social: Self-care skills and social interactions such as feeding, dressing, playing with others, and showing emotions

ASQ:SE-2 (Social-Emotional)

The ASQ:SE-2 specifically evaluates social-emotional development, including:

• Self-regulation and the ability to calm down
• Compliance with rules and routines
• Ability to communicate needs and emotions
• Interaction with familiar adults and other children
• Autonomy and growing independence
• Adaptive behaviors in daily routines

What to Expect

Before the Screening

You will receive a screening questionnaire by email or mail approximately one week before your appointment. The questionnaire takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete at home. Your observations as a parent are the most important part of the process, so answer based on what you see your child do every day.

During the Screening

Screenings take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. A child development specialist will review your completed questionnaire with you, observe your child during a brief play-based interaction, and ask follow-up questions to understand the full picture of your child's development. Children are welcome to play with age-appropriate toys and materials throughout the session.

After the Screening

Results are shared with you immediately in a private consultation. You will receive:

• A written summary of your child's results in each developmental area
• Clear explanations of what the scores mean
• Celebration of your child's strengths and on-track milestones
• If any concerns are identified, specific recommendations for next steps, which may include referrals to specialists, enrollment in BrightRoots programs, or at-home activities to support development
• A follow-up plan with a timeline for rescreening if recommended

Schedule and Locations

Monthly Clinic at BrightRoots

Developmental screenings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at the BrightRoots Community Learning Center. Appointments are available from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Each screening is scheduled for a 45-minute window to allow plenty of time for observation and conversation.

Address: 123 Learning Lane, Maplewood, ST 12345

Community Screening Events

BrightRoots also offers developmental screenings at community events throughout the year, including:

• Spring Family Festival (April) -- Walk-in screenings available all day
• Back-to-School Bash (August) -- Screenings paired with kindergarten readiness assessments
• Week of the Young Child (April) -- Special screening events at partner locations
• Pediatric office partnerships -- Select pediatric practices host BrightRoots screening days quarterly

How to Schedule

Call (555) 123-4567 or email screenings@brightroots.org to book your appointment. Walk-ins are accommodated at community events when capacity allows, but appointments are recommended to ensure availability.

By the Numbers

• 850+ screenings conducted each year
• 100% of families receive follow-up support and resources after every screening
• 1 in 6 children has a developmental delay, and many are not identified until they start school -- screenings change that
• 15 minutes is all it takes for a parent to complete the questionnaire at home
• 25+ years of providing free screenings to the community

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the screening a diagnosis? No. A developmental screening is a quick check to identify potential areas of concern. If the screening suggests a possible delay, we will recommend a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified specialist for a formal diagnosis.

My child seems fine. Should I still get screened? Yes. Many developmental delays are subtle and not always visible to parents or caregivers. Screenings catch things early, and if your child is on track, you will have the reassurance and data to confirm it.

Do I need a doctor's referral? No referral is needed. Any family with a child from birth through age five can request a screening.

Can I bring siblings? Yes. We provide a supervised play area for siblings during your screening appointment.

Ready to schedule a screening? Contact us or call (555) 123-4567.