The Changing Role of Pediatric Well-Child Care

Identifying potential developmental and behavioral problems during the first 3 years of life is an important factor in promoting a child's healthy development. The early identification of a potential developmental or behavioral problem leads to further evaluation and possible diagnosis or treatment if needed. Pediatric health care professionals are well positioned to observe children's early development in multiple visits over time and serve as a resource to parents. Health care professionals can be integral in helping families navigate systems of care to address their child's needs. This article describes recent changes in developmental surveillance and the increasing emphasis on addressing parental concerns. The authors describe a variety of programs that have been created to improve effective developmental surveillance and screening in pediatrics.