DENVER II AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING TESTS' SIGNIFICANCE IN ASSESSING CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Developmental screening tests are critical tools for assessing children’s cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional development, allowing for the early detection of potential developmental delays. Early identification is essential as it enables timely intervention, which can prevent prolonged developmental issues, improve children’s long-term outcomes, and enhance their quality of life. This article presents a comparative analysis of widely recognized developmental screening tests, including the Denver II, Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III), Griffiths Mental Development Scales, and the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (AGTE).Denver II evaluates personal-social, fine motor, language, and gross motor skills in children aged 0-6. It has been widely adapted across various cultural contexts, including Turkey, where itis frequently used by healthcare professionals to assess developmental milestones and identify delays. The ASQ is a practical, parent-completed tool, which has been culturally adapted for diverse populations. However, because it relies on parental reporting, there is a risk of subjectivity, and it may lack comprehensiveness in assessing certain cognitive aspects, particularly in infants.Bayley-III provides a thorough assessment of cognitive, motor, language, social-emotional, and adaptive skills, supported by widespread cultural adaptations, making it a reliable screening option. However, its lengthy administration process can limit accessibility, particularly in large-scale applications. The AGTE is tailored specifically for Turkish children, assessing language-cognitive development, motor skills, social skills, and self-care, thus making it especially effective for use in Turkey’s healthcare and educational settings.Each test has unique strengths and limitations, highlighting the potential benefit of using multiple tests together to comprehensively assess children’s development, enabling early and effective intervention where needed.