title: Assessing child development.
abstract: The family practitioner has an important role in the detection of infants and young children with developmental delays. The physician may be the first or only professional in regular contact with infants and young children. Interpretation of a child's developmental status is best done with a clear understanding of the child's family and social environment, and the family practitioner is in a unique position to possess this knowledge by virtue of his or her established relationship with the family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43699.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kimmel
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Phelps
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment