Screening and assessment instruments for the early detection of developmental, behavioral and psychosocial problems in children 0-6 years
Health technology assessment
|Updated
Key message
The review reveals a lack of sufficient knowledge about methods that can be used in early assessment of developmental abnormalities in preschool children (0-6 years).
- Mapping of Norwegian conditions indicate that there are multiple different methods. The regional variation is great, the expertise in public health centers are unevenly distributed and there are indications that mere coincidence determines the choice of method.
- There is international consensus that existing methods do not meet the current criteria for mapping tools in population screening.
- To screen preschool children for developmental problems and behavioral problems raises ethical questions because there is no evidence that such programs leads to more benefit than harm.
- There is a need for research on the incidence and causes, diagnostic criteria and effects of the measure.