Introduction: Developmental disorders are described as an impairment in physical, cognitive, linguistic or behavioral areas. The New Denver II Developmental Screening Test, which has been standardized for Slovenian children, can detect developmental delays. However, it is recommended to perform an additional developmental screening test after 12 months of age for the early detection of signs of autism spectrum disorders, which the Denver II may not identify. In preschool health care services, the Revised Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT R/F) and the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) are also used. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the screening tests used in the assessment of preschool children at the primary level of healthcare. We aim to determine which screening tests are effective in detecting developmental delays, as well as the implementation of these developmental screening tests by nurses, their training, competencies, approach to children and parents, and any potential challenges and difficulties encountered. Methods: A review of professional and scientific literature was conducted, with searches performed in bibliographic databases such as PubMed (Medline), CINAHL Ultimate, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used in the search string included: preschool children, dispensary, developmental milestones, early intervention, screening, Q-CHAT, developmental tests, early intervention. The analysis included 24 articles in Slovenian and English, published between 2013 and 2024, which were accessible in full text to members of the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana. Results: Developmental screening tests are crucial for detecting developmental delays and autism spectrum disorders in the preschool period. Their effectiveness depends on their psychometric properties, particularly sensitivity and specificity. The Denver II, which has high specificity and low sensitivity, often incorrectly identifies children without delays as questionable. Globally, M-CHAT R/F, which requires an additional interview following a poor result, and Q-CHAT, which requires only one administration due to descriptive responses, are more commonly used. Time constraints, communication, child cooperation, and selecting the appropriate test are challenges faced by nurses. Discussion and conclusion: Early detection of developmental delays allows for the timely referral of at-risk children to developmental clinics, where early intervention yields the best outcomes. It is crucial that care and support for these children are provided during the preschool period, as this significantly enhances the child's overall development, necessitating effective developmental screening.
|
