StanfordOnline: Identifying and Responding to Developmental Delay in Young Children

Course Description

This comprehensive course is designed to equip primary care clinicians with the essential knowledge and tools to identify children at risk for developmental delays and refer them to appropriate therapeutic and diagnostic services. Through a blend of text-based learning, case studies, videos, and screencasts, participants will gain expertise in performing recommended developmental screening and surveillance, as well as referring at-risk children to Early Intervention services.

What Students Will Learn

Differentiate between developmental screening and developmental surveillance
Understand and implement American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for routine developmental screening and surveillance
Interpret and apply routine developmental screening in clinical practice
Recognize eligibility criteria for Early Intervention services and available resources
Make appropriate Early Intervention referrals based on geographic area
Comprehend and explain Individualized Family Service Plans
Effectively communicate with and support families throughout the screening and referral process

Pre-requisites

While there are no specific prerequisites for this course, it is designed for healthcare professionals, particularly those in Family Medicine & Community Health, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and affiliated professions in healthcare, mental health, education, and social services who provide care to infants, young children, and their families.

Course Content

Overview of developmental screening and surveillance
American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for screening and surveillance
Implementation of routine developmental screening in clinical practice
Early Intervention services: eligibility criteria and available resources
Making appropriate Early Intervention referrals
Understanding and explaining Individualized Family Service Plans
Effective communication with families during screening and referral processes
Case-based learning scenarios for practical application
Interviews with Early Intervention providers and parents
Screencasts and videos demonstrating key concepts and procedures

Target Audience

This advanced-level course is ideal for healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, mental health practitioners, educators, and social service providers who work with infants, young children, and their families. It is particularly relevant for those in Family Medicine & Community Health, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics who want to enhance their skills in developmental screening and early intervention.

Real-World Application

The skills acquired in this course will enable healthcare professionals to:

Implement effective developmental screening and surveillance protocols in their practice
Identify children at risk for developmental delays early on
Make timely and appropriate referrals to Early Intervention services
Improve communication with families about developmental concerns and interventions
Collaborate more effectively with Early Intervention providers
Enhance overall patient care and outcomes for young children with developmental delays
Contribute to better long-term developmental outcomes for children in their care

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Developmental Screening and Surveillance
- American Academy of Pediatrics recommended protocol
- Case-based learning scenarios
- Selecting and using developmental screeners
Module 3: Early Intervention - IDEA Part C
- The Early Intervention process post-referral
- Interviews with Early Intervention providers and parents
- Communication with families about Early Intervention services
- Understanding the Early Intervention process
- Reading and interpreting Individualized Family Service Plans
Module 4: Conclusion

Accreditation

This course offers 2.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for physicians who complete the program, making it an excellent opportunity for professional development and continued education in the field of pediatric developmental care.