National inequities in early intervention services

• Ensure that children universally receive developmental-behavioral screenings, as recommended by the AAP and as supported by a randomized controlled trial by Guevara et al. (Pediatrics 2013;131:30-7). Then speed children/families with suspected problems to the most appropriate and effective community resource(s) with the help of system-wide referral and care coordination programs.

Dr. Marks is a general pediatrician at PeaceHealth Medical Group in Eugene, Ore., and coeditor of "Developmental Screening in Your Community: An Integrated Approach to Connecting Children with Services"and "Identifying and Addressing Developmental-Behavioral Problems."