Developmental Screening
What Is Developmental Screening?
Developmental screening is a quick, structured snapshot of how your child is growing, learning, and communicating compared to typical developmental milestones. The screening gives you immediate clarity without waiting for a complex, lengthier diagnostic process. Screening early catches subtle developmental variations before they become ingrained challenges, giving your child immediate access to targeted early intervention.
Won’t My Child ‘Outgrow’ This? Maybe They’re Just Behind A Little.
Hoping a child will simply "outgrow" communication or regulation delays often leads to lost developmental time, heightened daily frustration, and more significant behavioural and social struggles once school begins.
How Do I Even Recognize a Developmental Delay?
Observation
If you have a quiet feeling that your child isn't talking as early as their peers, isn't making consistent eye contact, struggles with motor balance, or experiences frequent intense meltdowns during daily transitions, a screening is the best place to start.
Timing
Screenings are typically done as early as 12 to 18 months, or whenever a parent or pediatrician notices a potential gap in milestones. The optimal time is the moment you first ask yourself, "Is this behaviour typical?"
You do not need to wait for a school referral or a pediatrician's directive. Screening as early as toddlerhood provides a baseline that allows support to begin right away during peak years of neuroplasticity.
Who Does It? What’s Involved?
At Monarch House, screening is never a cold, single-page checklist. It is a compassionate, peer-reviewed clinical evaluation conducted by a collaborative team of master’s- and doctoral-level developmental experts - including Registered Psychologists, Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBAs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) - working under one roof.
- Registered Psychologists lead complex screenings using gold-standard diagnostic tools and comprehensive cognitive framework analysis to establish an authoritative clinical baseline, ensuring your family gets immediate clarity without unnecessary delays.
- Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBAs) observe play-based interactions and environmental responses to evaluate why specific behavioural or regulatory patterns occur, identifying early opportunities to nurture adaptive life skills and functional communication.
- Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) assess your child’s complete linguistic profile - evaluating non-verbal cues, early speech mechanics, oral-motor development, and pre-verbal social connection to unlock their unique voice right from the start.
Through engaging, play-based observations and parent-guided questionnaires, our screening process involves you every step of the way. Rather than leaving you with a list of technical terms, our multidisciplinary team translates these findings into clear, immediate, and practical home-based guidance so you can confidently support your child’s growth the moment you step out our doors.
Top 3 Frequently Asked Questions
Is a developmental screening the same as a formal diagnosis?
No. A screening is a fast, lightweight tool used to identify whether your child is meeting milestones or if a more comprehensive, formal assessment is recommended.
How long does a developmental screening session take?
Screening appointments are typically completed in under an hour through playful interaction and brief parent discussions.
What happens right after the screening is finished?
Our team reviews the findings with you immediately, offering clear next steps, actionable home strategies, and referrals to specific therapies if needed.
For More Questions or To Book A Screening