Which statement about developmental screening timing is true?

• A. It is done only at enrollment
• B. It is done only when delay is suspected
• C. It is optional for most children
• D. It is used at recommended ages or during well-child visits

Answer: (D)

Regular developmental screening is planned for specific ages as part of routine well-child visits. Doing screening at those recommended times lets clinicians track progress over time, use standardized tools to flag potential delays across areas like communication, motor skills, social-emotional development, and problem-solving, and connect families with evaluation and early intervention if needed. This approach aligns with guidelines that emphasize universal screening at key ages during regular checkups, rather than limiting screening to enrollment, waiting only when concerns arise, or making it optional. For example, many schedules include screening around early toddler years (and autism-specific screening at a set age window), ensuring delays aren’t missed as children grow.