Why So Few Children Are Getting Screened For Delays — And Tips For Parents

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Introduction

Jose Ramos remembers when his child in elementary school was flagged for speech delays. At the time, he was in disbelief.

“We were told that he needed to have special classes… and we were like, ‘Hmm, I don’t think so. We talk to him,’” said Ramos, now vice president and chief program officer at the Child Care Resource Center, an organization that helps families with childcare resources in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Ramos said it can be hard for a parent to know or acknowledge that their child might be having any sort of developmental delay — just one reason he attributes to why so few young children in California are getting developmental screenings and services.

In 2022, 30% of children on Medi-Cal in California received a state-mandated developmental screening in the first three years of life (more than half of children in the state are insured under the program). Among states across the country, the average screening rate was 40%.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Ramos said stigma plays a big role, but parents might also not be aware of what services are available, or lack the time to follow-up on appointments if their children screen positive. Some families, he said, trust that children will grow out of their delays, or that the school systems will be able to help their child catch up once they enroll.

“They don’t feel that they need to worry about dealing with it right now,” he said.

But he said getting services early for developmental delays are key, especially in the early years of life.

“If we can prevent a child from having any type of delay before they start, let’s say kindergarten or even [transitional kindergarten], I think we can really change the trajectory of the child,” Ramos said.

Required screenings under Medi-Cal

Developmental screenings for kids on Medi-Cal are required by law and usually take place at periodic check-ups at doctor’s offices. But many families skip those visits — or when they do go, the screenings aren’t offered by their providers, said Alexandra Parma, director of policy research and development at the First 5 Center for Children’s Policy in Alameda.

“Just think about how short a well-child visit is and how many things you need to get done… historically developmental screening has been something that could be less prioritized,” she said.

In 2019, the California State Auditor found less than half of children on Medi-Cal received required preventative services, including developmental screenings, and in 2022, found the state wasn’t doing enough to increase that percentage.

“In those early years, your brain is most adaptable to change, and so if a child is experiencing a delay or does end up being diagnosed with a disability, early intervention is crucial for outcomes for the child,” Parma said. “So the clock is really ticking in those early years to get kids connected.”

Tips for parents: What to look for

Check for these milestones as your children are developing. You can find additional resources on the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s website.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.2: Percentage of children receiving state-mandated developmental screenings in the first three years of life.
• Indicator for SDG 4.2: Availability and accessibility of developmental screenings and services for young children.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Percentage of children on Medi-Cal receiving required preventative services, including developmental screenings.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: laist.com

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