Tell them you have concerns about your child’s development that you need to discuss with the health care provider.

• Before the appointment, complete this checklist. Or, you can track milestones by using the free CDC Milestone Tracker app on your mobile device. (Note: This will open in a new tab).
• Write down your questions and concerns.
• Take the checklist and your list of concerns to the appointment.

• Show the completed milestone checklist to your child’s health care provider. 
  • If your child is missing milestones, point them out. Share any other concerns that you have. 
  • If your child is not missing milestones, but you still have concerns, tell the health care provider about them. 

• Ask the health care provider for a developmental screening for your child. 
  • A developmental screening is recommended whenever there is a concern. It gives the health care provider more information to figure out how best to help your child.

Developmental screenings can be done by professionals in healthcare or childhood education. They take a closer look at how your child is developing. They will not provide a diagnosis but they can determine if a specialist should take a closer look. 

What to expect during a developmental screening:

The person doing the screening will give your child a brief test. Or, you will answer questions about your child. They will ask you about your child’s language, movement, thinking, behavior, and emotions. 

If your child does, ask for a referral and call right away. If you have a hard time getting an appointment, let the health care provider know.

If a screening finds an area of concern, a formal developmental evaluation may be needed. This is a more in-depth look at your child’s development. 

It is done by a trained specialist such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or other specialists. 

The results of this formal evaluation determine whether a child needs special treatments or early intervention services or both.

• Before you leave the appointment, check the notes you have written. Make sure all of your questions have been answered. 
• If you do not understand something, ask the health care provider to explain it again or in a different way. 
• When you get home, review your notes. Follow the steps the health care provider has given you. 
• Remember, you can always contact the health care provider’s office if you have any questions.

If your child’s health care provider has told you to “wait and see,” but you feel uneasy about that advice: 

• Talk with another health care provider to get a second opinion
  AND 
• Call for a free evaluation to find out if your child can get free or low-cost services that can help. 

If your child is under age 3: Call your state’s early intervention program. Find the phone number at www.cdc.gov/FindEI.   

If your child is age 3 or older: Call the local public elementary school. 

You do not need a health care provider’s referral to have your child evaluated for services.