Developmental Assessment Tools

With the diagnosis of a neurosurgical condition, often comes the awareness of potential or realized developmental delays. A comprehensive approach to assessment includes a family history, developmental observations, comprehensive neurological assessment, and developmental screening. Selected screening tools can aid in early identification of developmental delays.

There are few currently available screening tools that are equally accurate in detecting developmental delays in speech, language, fine and gross motor activities, and emotional and intellectual development. It is recommended that developmental skill attainment not be based on any one assessment tool.

When administering a developmental assessment tool, knowledge of the child’s neurological condition is important for interpreting the results. For instance, a child that shows language delays may also have a hearing impairment, which will skew the language assessment. Obtaining a standardized score may also depict the child’s developmental abilities, and guide the nurse in describing to the family developmental strengths and weaknesses. Tools should be used as only a component of developmental surveillance and part of a continuous comprehensive approach that includes the parent(s) as partners with professionals.

The goal of a comprehensive developmental approach in the hospital or outpatient setting is to determine the most appropriate developmentally based neurosurgical care for the patient. Treatment for identified needs can be better directed toward the developmental age of the child, which, if different from the chronological age, will impact the assessment and patient care of the child. This developmental information can guide the nurse in planning for the child’s home care, including targeted resources such as early intervention services, adapted educational plans, rehabilitation and therapy services.