An Early Intervention Success Story

Miguel* is 20 months old.  His mother, Paula, completed the 20 month Ages and Stages

Questionnaire (ASQ) as part of a well child visit at a CommunityCARE provider clinic in

Louisiana.  The ASQ is one of six developmental screening tools introduced at all of the

CommunityCARE clinics in the state.  Miguel's scores on the questionnaire were above the

cutoff points, except for communication and problem solving, for which his scores were

below or near the cutoff

points.  Paula expressed con 

cern in response to the ques 

tion,  Do you think your child

talks like other toddlers his (or

her) age?   She shared how

Miguel was very expressive

and often led her by the hand

to reach things out of his

reach, but used gestures

rather than words.  At 20

months, though he under 

stood and followed com 

mands, he only said two

words,  Ma Ma  and  up. 

The doctor discussed options

with Miguel's mother and gave

Paula a list of activities and

milestones for a 20 month old

child.  He also gave her the 24 month questionnaire and corresponding activities to help

the family watch for skills that Miguel should begin to develop.  Miguel's family was taught

skills to enhance his speech.   At the 24 month visit, Miguel was referred to an ear, nose

and throat specialist and started receiving speech therapy.

Because of timely screening, a strong partnership between parent and provider, and

appropriate referrals, Miguel is showing remarkable signs of improvement.  Now, after one

year, Miguel is using two and three word phrases and likes to imitate animal sounds.  He

has learned to cue play partners about his wishes with both gestures and words.  Miguel's

family and physician are excited about his wonderful progress and will continue to monitor

his development.

* Miguel's story represents a fictional composite of members screened at a CommunityCARE clinic in Louisiana.

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