DAP 7: Developmental Screening
Overview
Developmental screening is a way to track milestones as a child grows and develops. Research indicates that early intervention helps improve outcomes for children who are slow to meet developmental milestones. Identifying and addressing concerns that may arise during the early years are the first steps in putting a child on a path to a stronger future.
Requirement
Level 4:
Students are observed for developmental delays and referred to a school-based interdisciplinary team for review, if warranted. Teachers provide in-classroom interventions, as appropriate. Families are engaged throughout the process.
Documentation to upload:
A statement describing the school’s process for:
- observation and identifying developmental delays.
- referral to a school-based interdisciplinary team for review, if warranted.
- providing in-classroom interventions.
- family engagement throughout the process.
Build a Statement
Develop a statement describing the school’s process for observation and identifying developmental delays, referral for services, and family engagement. The Reflection Questions below will help you capture what is done in the program when creating your statement. Upon reflection, you are ready to build your statement.
Reflection Questions
- What observation methods does the school use for identifying developmental delays?
- What is the process for referring a student to the school-based interdisciplinary team for review when necessary?
- In what ways are in-classroom interventions provided?
- How are families engaged throughout the observation, referral, and intervention process?
After reflecting on the questions, you have the option to download and save the Developmental Screening Process Template and create your statement.
If you need more support writing a statement on Developmental Screening procedures, use Writers Tips and Prompts to find examples and for additional guidance.
Next Steps
- Review your Developmental Screening Process statement to ensure that each requirement is met.
- Log into the Maryland EXCELS System to upload to upload the school’s statement.
- Submit for review
Additional Resources
- Developmental Screening is a brief method completed by a parent or caregiver to quickly identify a child’s progress through foundational early childhood developmental milestones.
- Parent Information Series are booklets that provide essential information for families of students with disabilities from ages 3 through 21 on important topics that increase collaboration between home and school in planning for their child’s education.
- Elevates is an online portal through the Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services’ (DEI/SES) that provides educators and leaders with the special education resources, guidance, and professional learning resources needed to improve outcomes and narrow the gap for students with disabilities.
