Fort Bragg, N.C. -- Womack Army Medical Center's (WAMC) Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS), with Fort Bragg Schools held their bi-annual developmental screenings for military children from birth to 5 years of age, Oct. 20 and 22.
The two-day screening is an early intervention step. It helps parents of military dependents with concerns identify any possible developmental delays in their children. Functional vision and hearing tests are also conducted.
The Ages & Stages Questionnaire, utilized by EDIS, helps determine if a child is learning the basic skills appropriate for their age or if there are any delays. Topics discussed in the questionnaire cover developmental milestones for each age group. Attending development screenings gives parents a chance to ask questions and discuss any possible concerns.
"The maturity rate between boys and girls is different, even fraternal twins can develop differently from one another. It can cause questions in parents about the whether their child is experiencing delays or not," said Brandy Elbinger, Fort Bragg Schools instructional systems specialist.
"As a parent, you should always feel comfortable to ask about your child's development, at school or physician level," she added.
There are three possible outcomes of a screening: no concern (no follow-up needed), small concern (revisit in six months) and concern (referral for full evaluation).
Children that are referred for full evaluation will be tested in five domains of child development including: communication skills; cognitive skills which evaluates conceptualization and reasoning; social/emotional -- the ability to sustain relationships/friendships with adults and peers; motor and self-care skills.
Based upon the results of the evaluation, observation and information shared, the team, including the Family, determines if the child and Family are eligible for early intervention services from EDIS.
EDIS provides services to support Families of children with developmental delays, disabilities, or special learning needs that reside on Fort Bragg. It delivers early intervention services to eligible children, birth to 3 years old, and their Families in domestic and overseas areas.
Children birth to 3 years old, who live off post, identified with delays are referred to their county of residence for assistance. Children 3 to 5 years of age are referred to their school for aid.
Regular well-child visits also allow parent and pediatrician to keep track of, or monitor, a child's health and development through periodic developmental screening.
For more information about EDIS, call 910-907-3347 or visit https://www.edis.army.mil/index.html.
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