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Developmental Surveillance and Referral in a Traditionally Medically Underserved Border Community

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Abstract

Purpose

Early identification and referral have been shown to improve long-term outcomes for children with disabilities. However, the number of children enrolled in early intervention services continues to be lower than the number of children confirmed to be developmentally delayed later in life. This study investigated the pattern of developmental surveillance and referral practices of pediatricians in a traditionally medically underserved border community.

Description

An online survey was created by members of a community/academic partnership. Emails were followed up with a personal contact to doctor’s offices to increase the response rate.

Assessment

Response rate for the survey was 26.7 %. Most respondents reported using a combination of formal screening tools and parent interviews to complete developmental screenings in their practice with the Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers being the most commonly used tool.

Conclusion

Although most respondents reported referring children for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C services, gaps were identified in available services and in the referral process that need to be addressed. Additionally, future studies need to evaluate the efficacy of a referral and feedback system to improve earlier access to intervention services for children with disabilities.

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Acknowledgments

This study was the collaborative work of a Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement (CORE) team that is one of several formed under the Community Academic Partnership for Health Science Research (CAPHSR) that works to improve access to healthcare services in our area. The Children with Disabilities CORE team consists of representatives from community agencies that provide services and support to children with disabilities and their families in the area and faculty from the University of Texas at El Paso. This study was supported with funding from the Community-Academic Partnership Capacity-Building (CAP2) program, College of Health Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso. We would also like to thank the other members of our CORE team who contributed to the completion of this project: Jaime Barceleau (Executive Director of Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center), Laura Mena (Occupational Therapy director with the Ysleta Independent School District), Rick Chaffino and Oscar Vasquez (Texas Health Steps), Dr. Rana Kronfol and Dr. Mark Lawson (pediatricians). We would also like to thank Dr. Jeri Sias for her tireless leadership of the CAPHSR program.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Early Childhood Intervention Program, Region 19 - Education Service Center, El Paso, TX, 79925, USA

    Eugenia C. Gonzalez & Anne Hernandez

  2. Speech Language Pathology Program, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA

    Connie Summers & Vanessa Mueller

  3. Community Resource Center, Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center, El Paso, TX, USA

    Gilda Gil-Lopez

  4. Project LAUNCH - Young Child Wellness Program, Aliviane, Inc., El Paso, TX, USA

    Danielle C. Garcia

  5. C.A.R.E. Unit, El Paso First Health Plans, Inc., El Paso, TX, USA

    Maritza E. Lopez

Authors
  1. Eugenia C. Gonzalez
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  2. Connie Summers
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  3. Vanessa Mueller
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  4. Anne Hernandez
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  5. Gilda Gil-Lopez
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  6. Danielle C. Garcia
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  7. Maritza E. Lopez
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eugenia C. Gonzalez.

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Gonzalez, E.C., Summers, C., Mueller, V. et al. Developmental Surveillance and Referral in a Traditionally Medically Underserved Border Community. Matern Child Health J 19, 2323–2328 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1741-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1741-y

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