Grow With Me
Developmental Screenings
What is a developmental screening?
A screening is a short test that helps you understand how your child is developing in relation to other children his/her same age. See the CDC’s Developmental and Monitoring Screening pdf.
Why is it important to screen?
In the United States, 26% of children ages 0 to 5 are at risk for developmental delay. Grow With Me (Crece Conmigo) offers families support to young children on a stronger path toward school readiness by providing developmental screenings, referrals to needed services and guidance to prevent developmental problems.
Are there any risks?
There are no risks associated with the screening appointment. If the child is not feeling well, comes or becomes upset in any way during the screening, the session will be terminated and may be rescheduled based on evaluator’s discretion.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost. The Center or our partner organizations will pay for the screening.
What happens during a developmental screening?
A Grow With Me developmental specialist will conduct a private, one-one screening with your child.
What developmental areas are accessed in the screening?
Screenings identify children at risk for delays in the following areas:
- Communication: hearing, understanding and using sounds and words
- Gross motor: moving, sitting, walking, and overall large muscle use
- Fine motor: using hands and fingers
- Problem solving: playing with toys and solving problems
- Personal-social: skills for daily living and interacting with others
- Social emotional: expressing feelings and getting along with others
How long is the screening?
Sessions take around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Benefits for parents that participate in a screening?
As a parent, you will receive information about your child’s development and if any concerns arise during the screening process, you will be consulted.
How can I get a screening?
Through our partner organizations (Casa del Lago, Catholic Charities, AVANCE, Bachman Lake Together) or when we announce a Screening Fair in our Social Media.
What do I need to register?
You will need to fill out a registration and a consent form. Please check our social media or with any of our partners to see when we will offer screenings.
What do I need to bring to the screening session?
Nothing is required, but both the caregiver and the child need to attend the evaluation appointment.
What happens after the screening?
After the developmental screening is done, results are shared with parents, recommendations and activities are provided, and we help you connect with services if needed.
Follow-up Services
After the developmental and social-emotional screenings are conducted, families are offered individualized case support to assist them in connecting with recommended services if needed.
We offer information and guidance for parents to help ensure they understand the system and how to advocate for their children.
If a referral is needed, we ensure the family is connected to services. One month from the screening, we hold a call with the family to check the referral status. Three months from the follow-up call, we hold another call to discuss.
Additional Resources
Screening Fairs
To reach an even greater number of children and to provide comprehensive screening services, CCF conducts periodic Screening Fairs in high-need Dallas locations.
Partnering with UT Dallas’ Callier Center for Communication Disorders, the Screening Fairs offer free developmental, hearing, vision, language and/or autism screenings for young children and their families who do not have access to this array of services. Playful-learning activities are provided for children while they wait to be screened.
Contact Information
Maria Maese, M.S., IMH-E (II)
972-883-3877
mxm124131@utdallas.edu
“As mothers, we sometimes think that we know a lot about our children, but sometimes we actually don’t have much knowledge of how they develop and how they learn. Don’t be afraid of an evaluation, because the evaluation is simple; it’s based on games and simple questions for children.”
Mrs. Mariana