We use ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 during our Child Find activities. We have the parents make appointments and then send them the questionnaires to complete ahead of time. We're seeing that more and more of our parents are unable to answer the questions for a variety of reasons so we were considering asking staff complete the questionnaires and then conferencing with the parent to compare the scores and finalize. The staff would not be familiar with the child, though. Does that present any concerns? Do you have other suggestions?
The developers recommend that professionals enlist parents to complete the questionnaires whenever possible. ASQ was developed and validated as a parent- completed tool, and many studies have found parents to be reliable evaluators of children’s behavior. As you’ve experienced, there are some scenarios—such as a cogni…
Why were the 2 month and 9 month questionnaires added in ASQ-3?
The addition of the 2 month questionnaire enables users to reliably screen children as young as 1 month of age. The new 9 month questionnaire helps pediatricians follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’s guideline to screen all children at the 9-month, 18-month, and 30-month well-child visits.
Is ASQ-3 technically sound?
ASQ-3 has a standardization with an unrivaled sample that closely mirrors the U.S. population in geography and ethnicity and includes children of all socioeconomic statuses. The sample includes 15,138 children whose parents completed 18,232 questionnaires. Reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity are all ex…
How have items been refined in ASQ-3 from the last edition?
Based on research and user feedback, ASQ-3 items have been refined to present clearer wording, ensure cultural appropriateness, and include more examples for better clarity. New questions about language expression and behavior have been added to the Overall section.
Sometimes, we receive completed ASQ-3 questionnaires with scores of 0 in all domains for children that have not been diagnosed with any delays or disabilities. Should we use an ASQ-3 questionnaire in a younger age interval to help get an idea of the children’s general developmental level?
Yes, using the next lower age interval is recommended. A provider can sample items from the lower age interval and see if the child can do those skills. It may be possible that the parents do not read English or understand the questions. A phone call is recommended to determine whether the parents need a translated qu…
When adjusting age for prematurity, if the child's last ASQ-3 result shows that he has developed skills expected of his chronological age, can you switch to using chronological age to choose the next interval?
Age adjustments for prematurity are calculated for the benefit of infants; it is intended to give them an opportunity to catch up. If that has already happened, it makes sense to revert to a chronological age when choosing ASQ-3 intervals.
Is it possible for some families to opt out of screening? Should we encourage them to participate but honor their request if they decline?
The ASQ developers recommend that programs obtain the consent of parents and caregivers when screening a child. If parents choose not to participate in the screening program, it is important to respect their wishes. Keep in mind that reluctance to participate is often due to a lack of understanding about why screening…
How has ASQ-3 in Spanish been refined?
ASQ-3 in Spanish reflects all changes to ASQ-3 in English. Questions in the Spanish translation have also been worded more clearly to improve utility of the questionnaires for Spanish-speaking parents. The translation was reviewed by a panel of Spanish-speaking early childhood experts who focused on issues of dialect …
What is the advantage of using the ASQ-3 Materials Kit rather than assembling the materials needed yourself?
The only advantage of using the ASQ-3 Materials Kit available from Brookes Publishing is the convenience factor. It is perfectly acceptable to assemble the materials needed for an ASQ-3 screening using the materials in a child's natural environment, such as their home or child care center. In fact, it is important to …
If supervisors were to run fidelity checks, how would they do? Would they test for reliability among screeners, or would they sit in on screenings and complete a checklist of fidelity items?
To examine fidelity related to how professionals administer and score ASQ questionnaires, some programs do a file review to monitor the screening program. A supervisor checks that a screening was completed, that the correct interval was used, that the questionnaire was scored correctly, that appropriate follow-up acti…
