How does ASQ-3 involve parents?
ASQ-3 relies on parents to observe their child and to complete the simple questionnaires about their child’s abilities. Having parents complete the developmental questionnaires is not only cost effective, but also enhances the accuracy of screening by tapping into parents’ in-depth knowledge about their children. Usi…
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…
What should we do if the parents do not agree with the caregiver's answers on the questionnaire?
ASQ questionnaires were designed to be completed by parents. If only a teacher or caregiver has completed an ASQ questionnaire, it is recommended that the parents also fill out the same questionnaire interval. The teacher and parents can then discuss results and any discrepancies. It is important for teachers to reme…
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.
A parent questioned the ASQ-3 age interval selected for her child even though the child's age fell in the age window. The parent was concerned that the selected interval was setting her child up for failure. How can we accurately explain why a given age interval was chosen and help alleviate parent concerns?
Some parents may express concerns about the age interval chosen for their child, especially if a parent perceives the child’s skills as being delayed. Completing the ASQ-3 (and ASQ:SE-2) is designed to be a positive experience for parents so it is important to address these concerns by explaining the purpose of devel…
Do you have tips for administering questionnaires when a parent has a known mental illness such as bipolar, schizophrenia, or active chemical use?
The ASQ developers recommend having both the parent and another adult providing care for the child separately complete ASQ questionnaires. Parents with mental illness may be able to observe their child and provide valid and reliable information despite their symptoms. If the parent is an involved parent, it would be …
Is there a letter that I can send with the questionnaire to parents to explain the program?
Yes, we have sample letters to help you introduce your screening program and the ASQ questionnaires to parents. Please visit our Parent Communication page for these letters. You are welcome to edit the sample letters to work for your program. These sample letters are also included in the appendix of the User’s Gui…
What should a professional do if they observe something different than what the parent reported on the ASQ-3? Should the score be changed?
ASQ was developed and validated as a parent-completed tool, and many studies have found parents to be reliable evaluators of children's behavior. Parent responses should be honored as a valid source of information, and it is not appropriate for staff to change or revise responses submitted by parents or other caregiv…
We are a home visiting program serving refugee families. Most of the parents don't speak or read English. How can we implement ASQ?
ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 questionnaires are available in multiple languages ( see a full list ). ASQ questionnaires can also be delivered in an interview format with an interpreter that speaks the parents' language. Learn more about using interpreters .
We work with families who know that their child has a delay, but is not receiving services. How should we use ASQ-3 with a child who will more than likely score below the cutoff?
In this situation, providers need to be sensitive to parents' concerns and feelings, especially if it is likely that ASQ-3 items will be difficult for the child. Asking parents about the strengths of their child and starting there is a good idea. You could even ask parents to complete the ASQ-3 areas out of order to …
