Child Development Screening Test for Leanne (Written by Atta)

Leanne is now two and half years old. Those who had read Leanne’s earlier blog, would know that she can engage on a meaningful conversation, sing nursery rhythms, counting, dancing, etc. The parents and grandparents were pleasantly surprised by her fast learning, and her ability to do so many things on her own.

Children grow, develop, and learn throughout their lives, starting at birth and every individual has different learning rate. For Leanne, Atta is very curious to know where she stands, in comparison with other two year olds.

So Atta made some investigative work on the Internet and found that the Web page with address http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/screening.html contains child development milestones in seven categories, starting from 3 months to five years. It gives a general description of the changes you can expect as your child gets older.

Using the seven criteria, Atta did the screening test for Leanne, Initial assessment showed that Leanne’s mental faculty and ability is beyond a two year old. In Atta’s opinion, her behavior and mental capacity are compatible to an average 5 years old. Here’s the screening test result.

The text in printed black (left) is the characteristics of an average 5 year old child. (Source web page). The text in italics printed red beside it is where Leanne stands in comparison.


Social
Wants to please friends (She mixes and play with friends, but is very selfish in sharing things with them)
Wants to be like her friends (She has a many imaginary friends and would engage in make belief telephone conversations with them)

More likely to agree to rules (Leanne has a mind of her own, not easily influenced by others. She looses her cool when not getting her way)

Likes to sing, dance, and act (She can sing most common nursery rhythms, watch tv and dance accordingly to tv shows, Favourite past time watching tv disney cartoon network)

Shows more independence and may even visit a next-door neighbor by herself (She always try to be independent)

Emotional Milestones
Aware of gender (Yes)

Able to distinguish fantasy from reality (She used to play make belief e.g. masak-masak and has make belief friends such as mickey mouse, Donald duck and others. She even creates fantasy names such as Ah Wa and frequently engage in make belief telephone conversation with her/him)

Sometimes demanding, sometimes eagerly cooperative (Very Demanding, She would scream until she gets what she wants. She is ]sometimes cooperative and would do things when asked. Good at reminding parents when shopping)

Cognitive Milestones
Can count 10 or more objects (She can now count to twenty)

Correctly name at least four colors (She can name all colours)

Better understands the concept of time (Yes )

Knows about things used every day in the home (money, food, appliances) (She knows practically all things in the house)

Language
Recalls part of a story (Yes)

Speaks sentences of more than five words (This is her strong point. Can say alphabets a –z spell ‘Micky Mouse’. She can recognize words and speaks well in complete sentences. Give intelligent answers, learns new things fast, and always asks questions, She also uses many words normally used by adults such as “in case”, “favourite” , “again”, “suppose to” etc.)

Uses future tense (She uses complete sentences and sometimes in future tense)

Tells longer stories (Every night before sleeping she would insist mummy/grandma read a storey book or listening to nursery rythms.)

Says name and address (She knows the name of all close friends and relatives)

Movement
Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer (Not able to yet)

Hops, somersaults (Not able yet, but can jump)

Swings, climbs (Able to swing and climb)

May be able to skip (Her physical condition is two year old, Not yet able)

Hand and Finger Skills
Copies triangle and other shapes (Can do)

Draws person with body (not yet)

Prints some letters (Not yet)

Dresses and undresses without help (She can dress and undressed)

Uses fork, spoon, and (sometimes) a table knife (She can use fork and spoon on her own, and able to say grace before meals)

Usually cares for own toilet needs (She is very careful with her things and would carefully pack them before going out on journeys).