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…
Where can I find a list of the cutoff scores for the monitoring and referral zones for all ASQ-3 intervals?
Table 18 on page 171 in the ASQ-3 User’s Guide contains all of the means, standard deviations, and cutoff scores for each area of all 21 intervals. On ASQ-3, the cutoff score is 2 standard deviations below the mean; the data in the 2.0 SD column represent the cutoff for referral zone. The monitoring zone is between 1…
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 e…
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.
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 screenin…
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.
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…
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…
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 unfamilia…
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 act…
