Developmental and Behavioral Screening Tests
Reviewed
Developmental and behavioral screening tests are checklists and questionnaires for parents to assess whether a child is meeting developmental milestones in language, movement, thinking, behavior, and emotions. They are used during well-child visits at recommended ages to identify potential delays early. The screening does not diagnose conditions but indicates if a formal developmental evaluation is needed.
Preparation and collection
No special preparation is needed.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Does not diagnose developmental disabilities; only indicates if further evaluation is needed.
- False positives and false negatives are possible; a screen-positive result does not confirm a condition.
- Results may cause emotional concern for parents.
What to do next
Discuss results with your child's healthcare provider, who may recommend formal developmental evaluation or continued monitoring.
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Developmental and Behavioral Screening Tests