Examining developmental monitoring and screening in LMICs

As countries begin to develop and scale up Early Childhood Development and Early Childhood Intervention systems and services worldwide, it is vitally important that properly standardized developmental screening measures with strong evidence of reliability and validity are available for parents and practitioners. Regardless of whether researchers develop these measures locally or adapt them from measures developed in HICs, it is imperative that decision makers step back, compile available psychometric and feasibility information across the studies that have been conducted for a given measure, and draw their own conclusions.

Finally, given that some LMICs may have fewer early intervention resources and may face more barriers to ensuring service follow-up, it would be ideal if evidence-based developmental promotion (for example, early literacy promotion, positive parenting tips, or resiliency counseling) is incorporated into the process of developmental screening. In theory, this would make the screening process more effective and parent-centered.

Mr. Small is with the Oregon Research Institute, Eugene. Dr. Hix-Small is with Portland (Ore.) State University. The authors have stated that they had no interests that might be perceived as posing a conflict or bias. Dr. Hix-Small has worked as a paid ASQ trainer. Email them at pdnews@mdedge.com.