Getting it right at 18 months: In support of an enhanced well-baby visit

Question 1

What percentage of developmental vulnerabilities that children present with in school are preventable?

Answer 1

75%

Question 2

What does the CPS recommend regarding early childhood development screening?

Answer 2

1. All children should receive an enhanced 18m well being check with the following:
   - A physician prompt health supervision guide with evidence informed suggestions i.e. Rourke Baby Record
   - A developmental screening tool i.e. Nipissing, ASQ, PEDS
   - Screening for parental morbidities
   - Promotion of early literacy activities
   - Information about community-based early childhood development resources for every family

Question 3

What does the CPS recommend regarding HCP in their communities?

Answer 3

1. Advocate locally for the development and enhancement of early years resources
2. Advocate for the implementation of an enhanced 18-month well-baby visit in all provinces and territories, supported by standard guidelines (see 1, above) and a special fee code.
3. Promote the implementation of an enhanced 18-month well-baby visit
4. Support and participate in pilot programs and research initiatives to identify cost-effective and outcome-based interventions that contribute to closing the gap between children who do well and those who do poorly.

Question 4

What does the CPS recommend re: governments and organizations?

Answer 4

1. Work toward the creation of and sustained funding for an early child development system, including an enhanced 18-month well-baby strategy for all Canadian children.
2. Ensure that provinces and territories support the standard guidelines and a special fee code.
3. Develop a comprehensive system of measurement and monitoring that collects appropriate data on the progress of Canada’s young children and their families. Such a system would include regular cycles of the EDI in kindergarten and developing other measures (for use at 18 months, in the middle years and beyond) that can be linked, compared and regularly analyzed and reported on. These data would inform actions at the clinical practice, community and government levels.
4. Promote and support research initiatives to determine whether there is a need for a regularly scheduled well-child visit between the ages of 18 months and 4 years.