Which of the following developmental screenings is recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics for children at 18 and 24 months?

Appeared in: RIMS Nursing Officer - 2022

Explanation

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has specific guidelines for developmental screenings in early childhood.
The AAP explicitly recommends that all children be screened specifically for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at their 18-month and 24-month well-child checkups.
This recommendation is based on evidence that early diagnosis and intervention for ASD lead to significantly better long-term outcomes for the child.
The most common screening tool used for this purpose is the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F).

Option A: Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of adulthood, characterized by motor symptoms like tremors and rigidity. It is not a condition that is screened for in toddlers.
Option C: Learning disorders are typically diagnosed in school-aged children who show persistent difficulties in academic areas. Universal screening is not recommended at the toddler stage.
Option D: While behavioral surveillance occurs at all visits, formal, universal screening for ADHD is typically recommended for children aged 4 years and older, not at 18 and 24 months.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developmental screening guidelines for toddlers as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in administering developmental screening tools like the M-CHAT-R/F, scoring them accurately, and documenting the results.
If a screening is positive, the nurse must provide empathetic support and clear education to the parents, explaining the need for further evaluation and referring them to Early Intervention services and audiology.
Nurses should be vigilant for developmental red flags, such as a child not using single words by 16 months, not using two-word phrases by 24 months, or any loss of previously acquired language or social skills.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for a specific screening recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for a particular age group (18 and 24 months).
This is a factual recall question based on established clinical guidelines.
Review the options and eliminate those that are clearly incorrect for the specified age group.
Parkinson disease is an adult condition, so it can be eliminated immediately.
Consider the typical age of diagnosis for the remaining options. Learning disorders and ADHD are typically diagnosed in older, school-aged children.
Recall or deduce that the 18 and 24-month marks are critical checkpoints for early signs of social and communication delays, which are hallmarks of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developmental screening guidelines for toddlers.
Stem keywords: developmental screenings, American Academy of Pediatrics, children, 18 and 24 months
Lead-in keywords: Which

QZN0nZfdcPuPAU0559AsU5

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 pp. 223-225, 424-426

Practise the full RIMS Nursing Officer - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.