Developmental & Literacy Screenings
Ages 3-5
Screening Mission
By identifying early developmental delays and providing appropriate intervention information, we will increase the chances for Arizona’s at-risk children to thrive as students and as citizens.
About Our Screenings
Arizona Literacy & Learning Center is dedicated to identifying early developmental delays and providing appropriate intervention recommendations to parents/legal guardians, child care providers, school directors, teachers and medical professionals.
We offer bilingual comprehensive developmental/literacy screenings for children ages 3-5. Children are screened in the areas of:
- Hearing – Pure tone & Impedance
- Vision
- Speech (articulation) Language
Concepts - Gross & fine motor skills
- Social development
- Self-help skills
- Pre-literacy skills
Children four years of age and older will be administered the “Get Ready to Read” Screener, which is a tool for pre-reading and writing skills
There is no cost for this service.
The Arizona Literacy & Learning Center consists of caring professionals. The team may include:
1. Audiologist (MS, CCC-A)
2. Speech/Language Pathologist (MS, CCC-SLP/L)
3. Registered Nurses, Interns or Resident Doctors
4. PBA Certified Vision Screeners
5. BA/BS, Master Level Educators or Psychologists
6. Early Childhood Specialists or Interns
ALLC screenings are considered level 2. This is a screening and not an actual diagnosis. Children are given direct services as opposed to analyzing questionnaires.
Re-screening of any area is available at ALLC at no charge
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT
DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS
The purpose of a developmental screening is to?
Why should I screen and evaluate my child?
The ages between 2 and 5 are often called the preschool years. This is a critical time to make sure your child has the language and physical skills to begin kindergarten. It is important to be aware of any changes or lack of development in your child. When learning challenges are identified at a young age, early intervention can help the child with learning tasks.
What should I watch for?
Children who are showing difficulties with any of the following areas may have a learning challenge. Watch for difficulties with:
• speaking/understanding
• vision
• hearing
• walking/running
• self-help skills
• behavior/social skills
• manipulating small objects/drawing
Who is eligible to participate?
Children between the ages of 3-5 are eligible to participate. Screenings are free of charge and held at the ALLC offices unless otherwise stated on the schedule.
How do I schedule an appointment with Arizona Literacy & Learning Center?
Please call us at 602-212-1089 to schedule an appointment. An appointment will be scheduled for the first available screening. Permission forms will be provided to parent(s)/legal guardian(s) prior to screening the child. This may be done on the day of the screening or in advance.
What if my child is less than three years of age?
If you have concerns about a child that is between birth and two years of age, call the Arizona Early Intervention Program at (877) 222-5432.
https://www.azdes.gov/azeip/
What happens during the screening appointment?
Parents complete a permission form and parent questionnaire.
A team member will ask you about your child’s growth and development.
An audiologist will check your child’s hearing.
A certified vision screener will check your child’s vision.
Your child will be evaluated in one or more screening areas.
The process may take up to 70-75 minutes.
What happens next?
A summary developmental report of screening results will be mailed out to Pre-school partners or parents within 2-3 weeks
“Team” recommendations are included for each at-risk child.
Summary reports also include suggestions for intervention and a listing of Community Resources.
Referrals in hearing and vision need immediate attention by the parents.
Parents and collaborating partners will be responsible for completing a “Follow-up Form” for children who received a REFERRAL or MONITOR in one or more developmental area(s).
How does the Referral process work?
Re-screening of any area is available at ALLC at no charge. Please call for an appointment.
Comprehensive speech/language, psycho educational, dyslexia, hearing and auditory processing evaluations are also offered on a sliding scale fee basis.
ALLC staff will network with Directors concerning the progress made on each of the children’s monitors and referrals and their completion or continued need for intervention plans.
Recognition & Response System for Early Intervening is used to identify possible at-risk issues and collaborate with parents and specialist on efforts to strengthen the child’s needs. It is a 3-Tiered instructional intervention system approach that includes giving the regular large group instruction to all students, while still giving additional tiered instruction to those who need it.
Request a Screening at your preschool
Developmental Screenings provide insight and help rule out potential problems. Addressing concerns early in a child’s life is a very effective way to avoid later educational struggles. The purpose of a developmental screening is not to diagnose, but to identify children’s developmental strengths and needs. Receiving an overview of a child’s skills gives parents and teachers the opportunity to know how best to prepare children for Kindergarten.
Early detection and treatment can be critical to a child’s development. Arizona Literacy & Learning Center is dedicated in increasing the chances for Arizona’s at-risk children to thrive as students and as citizens.
We provide our services to parents, community based organizations, child care centers and child care providers in the Maricopa area.
In order to be cost effective, ALLC needs to see at least 15+ children at each screening location. Developmental screenings may be held on weekdays or Saturday’s at your site or at the Arizona Literacy & Learning Center. Screenings take approximately 70-75 minutes for each child to rotate through the screening stations.
A site visit from one of our team members must be scheduled to assure that there is adequate and appropriate space to accommodate our team members.
ALLC will provide collaborating partners with the necessary screening forms (provided at the time of the site visit). Spanish version available upon request.
Please call us at 602-212-1089 to schedule an appointment.