Ready to Screen?
Is your organization ready to kick off your developmental screening program this fall? These resources can help you brush up on how to use Sparkler to screen and follow up the families you serve.
What is Developmental Screening?
Sparkler offers the mobile Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) — which help families learn about their children’s development during early childhood. The ASQs (which are published by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.) draw on parents’ expert knowledge about their children’s learning and development to help families, educators, home visitors, pediatricians, and others to learn about and support children’s development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends universal screening for young children. Why?
- Developmental screening — coupled with play and regular interactions between adults and their children — support healthy early development.
- Early identification through screening is the first step toward intervention.
- Early identification and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with developmental delays.
Inviting Families to Screen
The first step in the process is inviting families to use Sparkler to complete the ASQ using Sparkler.
Sending Families ASQs: When a family signs up for Sparkler, Sparkler assigns the current ASQs, based on the birthday and prematurity the family shares when signing up. As the child gets older, Sparkler assigns new ASQs and sends families in-app notifications letting them know they’re available. This means programs do not need to identify the correct interval and/or send the ASQ to families.
Inviting Families to Screen: Many programs find that it’s useful to explain screening to families so they understand what it is and why it’s important and to set expectations so that families know when they are expected to fill it out. Some programs want all families to fill out the ASQ at the start of the school year. Others want families to fill out the ASQs at particular moments in their children’s lives (e.g., at 9 months old). Many different approaches work; our only suggestion is to be clear with families so they understand what to do and when to do it.
How to Follow Up After Screening
Once a family completes an ASQ, it’s time for the program to review the results, explain the results to the family, and help the family understand any recommended next steps. Sparkler has created a guide to help programs learn how to follow up after screening. It details the following steps:
- Step 1: Get ASQ Notification to Start the Process
- Step 2: Review & Interpret Scores and Concerns
- Step 3: Reach Out to Parent/Caregiver
- Step 4: Talk to the Family to Share Results
- Step 5: Send the ASQ Results to the Family and Complete Sparkler’s Follow-Up Form
- Share the ASQ Results Report
- Share a Summary of Your Recommendations
- Submit Your Follow-Up Report
- Step 6: Suggest Activities from Sparkler’s Library
