When Is a Developmental Screening Needed?

A developmental screening can help identify any delays that could signify certain disorders in your child. Through a diagnosis from Dr. Maged Farid, Dr. Ramagavri Rawal, Dr. Mihai Radu, or Dr. Enas Iskander of Florida Pediatric Group, serving Melbourne and West Melbourne, FL, we may get your child the treatment they need to grow up happy and healthy. Here's what you should know about when a screening might be necessary.

General Information 

 Typically, a pediatrician from our practice, serving Melbourne and West Melbourne, FL, will provide basic developmental screenings at your child's well-visit and will let you know if we see any signs of an issue. At that point, we'll recommend further screening and can provide you with a course of action if a developmental delay is occurring. We'd like to stress that every child develops at their own rate. Therefore, even if your friend's child is already standing up and your child is still crawling, that doesn't mean there's a problem. 

Struggling with Fine Motor Skills

 Your child will continuously improve their fine motor skills, meaning the ones that require the small muscles in the fingers and wrists. If they're not, this might mean your little one has difficulty picking up items or doesn't develop a pincer grasp. They might have trouble stacking items, clapping their hands, or eating finger foods.

If you're noticing that your kid seems clumsy with these tasks even after practicing them for a while or isn't developing them, we encourage you to bring your little one in for a developmental screening.

Has Difficulty Following Orders or Understanding What You Say

 Your little one's vocabulary and comprehension will continuously grow, usually fairly rapidly. However, if you notice that they aren't taking commands well or understanding what you and others are saying, it could mean they have an issue that a pediatrician could address.

Not Speaking at an Age-Appropriate Rate

 Especially if you speak to your child regularly and are always sitting down with them to help them learn and they still aren't speaking at all or are behind in their vocabulary, it could indicate an issue. We'll ask you at each visit about your child's speaking, and if you have any concerns at any point, we recommend you reach out to us. 

Isn't Hitting Milestones

 If a young child is struggling to learn to roll over, sit up, crawl, or walk, it could mean a delay. At your well-child visits, we'll be asking about these.

Dr. Maged Farid, Dr. Ramagavri Rawal, Dr. Mihai Radu, and Dr. Enas Iskander of Florida Pediatric Group, serving Melbourne and West Melbourne, FL, recommend a developmental screening when any of the aforementioned is true.

Call 321-752-5210.