Childhood is a whirlwind of growth and discovery, making early support crucial. During a child’s early years development occurs rapidly across multiple fronts - cognitive, language, motor, social, and emotional. These formative stages are essential to laying the foundation for their future success. But how do we ensure they are on track? This is where the power of Developmental Monitoring and Screening plays a critical role.  
 
Developmental monitoring is a continuous process that enables caregivers and professionals to observe and document milestones over time to ensure children are progressing as expected.  Screening, on the other hand, involves using standardized tools to detect potential delays or disorders, allowing for timely intervention and support. Early detection and intervention, including therapies and tailored educational support, can significantly impact a child's developmental journey. 

Every child should have the opportunity to benefit from this powerful approach. According to the National Survey of Children's Health conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2020-2021), in Massachusetts, 44.7% of children aged 9-35 months have undergone developmental screening within the past 12 months, surpassing the national average of 34.8%. Ranked 8th in the nation for developmental screening participation, Massachusetts has made significant strides in promoting developmental screening. However, significant challenges persist.  

Awareness and action are crucial! This year marks the 2nd Annual Developmental Monitoring and Screening Week, a collaborative effort hosted by Strategies for Children, MA Act Early, Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB) through its DRIVE initiative. Together, we’re championing awareness, showcasing resources, and advocating for policy changes to promote equity in access and quality in developmental screening and monitoring. Collectively, we are working to ensure every child thrives and reaches their fullest potential.  

Advocating for policies and initiatives that prioritize early detection and intervention for developmental delays, and ensure that screening services are accessible, affordable, and integrated into healthcare systems, is imperative. Strategies for Children, a statewide early childhood advocacy organization and a New Way Forward policy partner of United Way, launched the Early Childhood Agenda, a list of 10 priorities aimed at building a foundation for a stronger early childhood system in Massachusetts over the next two years.  

“Priority 4 of this agenda is actively working to increase access to developmental screening and monitoring, referral and service through policy change,” said Titus DosRemedios, Deputy Director of Strategies for Children. 

Conversations with Titus Dos Remedios and fellow advocates Laura McGowan and Corinne Kielbasa, Lived Experience Leaders with the Early Childhood Agenda, reveal valuable insights into their advocacy and awareness efforts. 

Laura and Corinne provide firsthand insights into the intersection of policy and practice. For example, Corinne sheds light on the challenges facing providers, from training deficiencies to logistical hurdles in delivering screening results. Her call for targeted interventions and ongoing support underscores the need for policy frameworks that prioritize provider capacity-building and service coordination. 

Isn't it obvious that policies promoting screening and child development are beneficial? But as Laura points out, barriers like lack of understanding, stigma, and uncertainty hinder many families’ accesses to these services. Some sites don't offer screenings due to a lack of training opportunities. The good news? Developmental monitoring checklists can be shared by anyone! Addressing existing barriers for screening and monitoring is crucial for equitable access for all children.

Titus echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative potential of policy in destigmatizing screening and promoting early intervention. By advocating for universal access to services and addressing systemic barriers, policymakers can ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive, “The stigma or fear of the unknown around this is one of the factors that is limiting many children from getting screened,” he says. "In an ideal world, children would access services as early as possible to prevent issues in their early years. You don't want to wait for kindergarten or first grade to have an identification that your child has Autism, for example. Identifying at two or three years old would be much better. This work does not always get the attention it needs from policymakers.”

For the second year, organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester are hosting a Screening Week to underscore the importance of screening and monitoring in early childhood development. Mary Kinsella, Senior Vice President of Education, Inclusion and Community Engagement at the club, and Huong Vu, Family Engagement Specialist at the Dorchester Family Engagement Network, shared insights into how this initiative is making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families.  

Vu recounted a story about a 1 1/2-year-old girl in their playgroup whose communication skills were delayed, as identified through ASQ assessments. Initially, the mother believed it was normal for her age, but after discussing concerns, they referred her to a local Early Intervention program. With support, the child showed significant progress each week, gaining vocabulary and confidence. A teaching plan was created to strengthen her communication skills, and now she's ready for preschool. This story illustrates how ASQ screenings support parents in tracking their child's development and the impact of early intervention programs and community resources in addressing delays in communication and problem-solving skills. 

Vu, a dedicated advocate for early childhood development, highlighted the club's creative approach during last year's Screening Week. “We screened around 15 children using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) as part of our Early Education program. Instead of just providing parents with the ASQ questionnaire, we arranged a trip to the Boston Children's Museum, where parents observed and documented their child's development during playtime, making the screening process more engaging and interactive,” said Vu. This year, they plan to engage children in activities such as playing with balls, blocks, and books, targeting essential cognitive skills. These activities, part of their parent-child playgroup for children under four not yet in formal schooling, aim to screen about 15 children during the week.

Kinsella stresses the significance of fostering a supportive environment where families feel empowered to address any concerns that may arise from the screening process. Events like 'Books, Balls, and Blocks', that are hosted throughout the year, not only offer resources but also provide a safe space for discussing developmental milestones and challenges.

Kinsella emphasizes the role of screening in transforming potentially difficult conversations into constructive ones based on tangible observations. It provides a framework for follow-up discussions, ensuring families understand the process and its intentions. By screening every child within 45 days of enrollment, families are assured that the process is not targeted but rather a standard practice.  

“Everyone wants the best for their child,” Kinsella says. “We know that follow up conversations when concerns are present or evident, can be tough conversations for parents. So, screening tools open the door for some of those conversations that might be a little bit uncomfortable.” 

There are many ways to get involved in Developmental Monitoring and Screening Week and support the importance of early detection and intervention year-round: 

As we reflect on the stories shared and the initiatives undertaken, one thing is clear: investing in early childhood development is not just a responsibility but a privilege—one that we must embrace wholeheartedly for the betterment of generations to come. Initiatives like Screening Week and DRIVE bring us closer to unlocking every child's potential.