Currently, our child care teachers fill out an ASQ-3 on children prior to parent-teacher conferences while a home visitor has parents fill out an ASQ-3 at home in the same timeframe. The 2 separate questionnaires can be discussed at the parent-teacher conference. However, we screen twice a year and having both teachers and parents complete the questionnaires means that there is a possibility of a teacher completing the same ASQ-3 interval two times and the parent completing it twice as well.
It is great to have both parents and child care providers complete the questionnaires and discuss results as your program is doing. Completing the same age interval four times is not ideal, especially if the child's scores were above the cutoffs during the first administration. One suggestion is to space your screenin…
We're implementing a new ASQ screening program at our child care center. Do you have materials to distribute at a parent information night?
A parent information meeting is a great way to introduce the concept of screening. You may find the What is ASQ-3? and What is ASQ:SE-2? parent handouts helpful as well as the sample parent welcome letters. See [sample letters][1]. This [case story ][2]about a Maryland child care program that uses ASQ includes a disc…
We're implementing a new ASQ screening program at our child care center. Do you have materials to distribute at a parent information night?
A parent information meeting is a great way to introduce the concept of screening. You may find the What is ASQ-3? and What is ASQ:SE-2? parent handouts helpful as well as the sample parent welcome letters. [See sample letters][1]. [This case story][2] about a Maryland child care program that uses ASQ includes a disc…
We use the ASQ with our families at our family resource centers. Do you have a short, easy-to-understand, introduction paragraph that we can share with parents that explains the ASQ process and benefits?
The developers recommend sharing the [What Is ASQ-3?][1] and What Is[ ASQ: ][2][SE-2? ][2]handout with families when introducing the screening program. The handouts are available in multiple languages. The introductory [letter to parents][3] may also have helpful information. [1]: http://agesandstages.com/free-res…
For the Overall question "Do you think your child talks like other children his age?" some parents check "No" and state "My child has a better vocabulary than other children his age." On the Information Summary sheet, should we acknowledge the child's skill, write the parent's comments in the text box, and mark "Yes" to indicate there are no concerns in this area? Or should we mark "No" even though there are no parental concerns?
Sometimes parents will indicate their child outperforms other children. The ASQ developers recommend transferring the parent's answer, in this case, "No" and adding a note to the summary section that the parent's concerns do not warrant further assessment or referral.
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…
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…
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…
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…
My school district uses ASQ-3 as a screening tool to assess the need for special education. Instead of parents completing the form, the evaluator fills it out. This person does not know the child and spends only 15-60 minutes with the child. What are your thoughts on this practice?
ASQ-3 (and ASQ:SE-2) questionnaires are primarily designed to be completed by parents. A caregiver/teacher who spends at least 20 hours a week with the child may also complete the questionnaires. It is important that the person completing the questionnaire is familiar with the child's skills. A professional unfamiliar…
