Children’s Growth and Development Checkups Q&A

Children’s developmental assessments and growth checkups were created as a way for you and your doctor to review the child’s growth over time and whether they are meeting the developmental milestones that were set out for them dependent on their age and compare it to those of other children their age. The developmental assessment that we follow was created by Jean Piaget, who created the developmental assessment as a way to review the intellectual development and abilities of children from infancy to young adulthood.

The milestones that were created include the typical developmental aspects found in children from playing, learning, speaking, behaving and moving. If the child misses the developmental milestone, it could be a sign that there may be a possible problem arising that needs to be looked into more seriously. This is why it is critical for your children to continuously see their doctor for developmental checkups as your doctor can catch any of these signs earlier and offer a diagnosis or include another specialist to provide any necessary exams or testing to diagnose an issue if there is one.

Developmental delay is considered a developmental skill that has not been reached by your infant, toddler, child or teen that of which is expected of the depending on their age, in comparison to others of the same age. Developmental delays occur often in children in these specific areas:

• Motor function
• Speech
• Language
• Cognitive play
• Social skills

Many do not have an initial cause for a developmental delay, as the factors that can contribute to a developmental delay can occur in a child before they are born in pregnancy, during birth or even after birth. These factors may include:

• Genetic or hereditary conditions (Down Syndrome)
• Metabolic disorders (Phenylketonuria)
• Trauma to their brain (Shaken Baby Syndrome)
• Severe psychological trauma (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Exposure to certain toxic substances (Prenatal Alcohol Exposure or Lead Poisoning)
• Serious Infections
• Deprivation of food or environment

The purpose of a developmental screening is it offers an early indicator or sign that the child may be at risk for cognitive, motor, communication or social-emotional delays. These delays can then interfere with their expected growth, learning and development and furthermore warrant a more in-depth diagnosis from your doctor or a specialist as well as assessments and evaluations.

With each year that passes more and more children are being registered into school and sports, this offers an opportunity for the parents or guardians of the child(ren) to have their child receive a check-up during a sport or school psychical for their development, growth and health.

During these physicals, it will include a review of your child’s immunization records, as vaccinations may be a requirement for certain school districts and sports that your child will be attending. You will be able to update all of your child’s immunzations at this time so they are ready for the new year.

Your doctor may also include a review of any health problems that children attending school or starting sports may experience, they include:

• Lice
• Food Allergies
• Pinkeye
• Backpack problems

To finish, your doctor will ask a few developmental questions in order to rule out any potential signs or risks that your child may be showing and possible recommend further assessments and evaluations if needed.

Absolutely urgent cares offer school physicals! At KidsHealth Pediatrics, we offer not only school physicals but also sport physicals and other urgent care related services. Schedule your child’s school physical today and have them ready for the new year! Please call us to schedule an appointment or simply book an appointment online. We have 2 pediatric clinics in Scottsdale, AZ & Glendale, AZ. We serve patients from Glendale AZ, Peoria AZ, Sun City AZ, Scottsdale AZ, North Scottsdale AZ, Grayhawk AZ, and surrounding areas of Phoenix AZ.