Family Center offers developmental screenings

Developmental check-ups are as important as measuring growth and preventing illness.

Routine screenings confirm that development is on track and aid in early detection of problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports early detection of problems in all areas of health and development and recommends that “all infants and young children should be screened for developmental delays.” This can be a team effort among parents, schools, and physicians. St. James Family Center’s Parents as Teachers program offers free screenings for children that complement the care health professionals provide.

Developmental screening is a quick look to see if a child’s development is on track. Early identification of and intervention with any developmental concerns will help a child.

A developmental screening by a trained professional can provide a look at the strengths and weaknesses of each child. Typically, the results will show that a child is doing very well. Developmental screenings are not IQ tests; they simply look at how a child is gaining skills and learning in comparison to other children her age in the following areas: Social/Emotional, Fine Motor, Language, and Gross Motor.

Representatives from The Progress Center in Longview will be at St. James Family Center on May 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. They will provide developmental screenings for infants and children up to three years of age. Screenings take about 20 minutes to complete. Call Jenny at 795-8612 to set up and appointment.