The 18-month well-child visit in primary care: Clinical strategies for early intervention

Abstract

Family physicians, paediatricians, nurse practitioners and all primary health care providers are well-positioned in the health care system to provide identification and intervention for developmental delay in early childhood. This can be accomplished through the promotion of healthy child development by supporting children and their parents, paying special attention to issues of attachment and parent-child interactions. Early recognition and intervention is critical for addressing all developmental, social and behavioural problems in young children. A familiarity with local community resources and services is crucial; it will assist primary health care providers in supporting families by providing extra assistance and assessment for families at risk. The present article reports on the evidence-based interventions at the 18-month visit including screening tools, resources and a case example. The importance of interdisciplinary coordination to provide a comprehensive approach to screening, assessment and intervention for developmental delays in infants and young children is highlighted.