Developmental delay--identification and management.
BACKGROUND
Developmental delay occurs in up to 5% of children under 5 years of age. This includes delays in speech and language development, motor development, social-emotional development, and cognitive development. General practitioners are in an ideal position to play a central role in the early detection of developmental and behavioural problems in young children.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various methods health professionals use to assess children's development. It recommends ongoing developmental surveillance (rather than point-in-time assessment) and a multidisciplinary approach.


CONCLUSIONS
In a busy general practice, obtaining parent reports of development is a good "first line screen", and an efficient and effective way of selecting out children who require a more detailed assessment and/or referral. Early intervention is essential for optimising developmental progress in the delayed child.
Oberklaid
Frank
F
Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia. frank.oberklaid@rch.org.au
Efron
Daryl
D
D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D010290:Parents; D010819:Physician's Role; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation