Early Identification of Social and Emotional Challenges

This Web page provides resources on the early identification of children ages birth - five years who are experiencing mental health challenges, challenging behavior, or other delays in their social and emotional development. It includes compendiums of screening and assessment instruments that address these areas. Information on the early identification of other early childhood disorders that frequently involve behavioral issues, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), can also be found on our Web site.

• Identification of Infant and Toddler Social-Emotional Disorders: Using the DC: 0-3 Diagnostic Classification System
  This research synthesis from the OSEP-funded Tracking, Referral and Assessment Center for Excellence (TRACE) was done to determine the extent to which the ZERO TO THREE Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC: 0-3) is appropriate for early intervention eligibility determination. Findings showed that most of 15 studies reviewed were poorly conducted and the classification system fared poorly in terms of differentiating between typically and atypically developing children. The authors suggest that better designed and implemented psychometric studies are needed to justify the use of the diagnostic classification system for early identification or eligibility determination purposes.
• Diagnostic classifications of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood
  This classification scheme of mental health and developmental disorders in the first 4 years of life was developed by ZERO TO THREE to help clinician's identify factors that may be contributing to the difficulties of the infant or young child, adaptive strengths, and additional areas of functioning in which intervention may be needed.
• What to Expect and When to Seek Help
  These checklists were developed by Bright Futures for providers and families. They provide tips on healthy development and parenting, as well as information on when and where to seek help for potential problems in social emotional development (ages birth - 12 months and ages 1 - 4 years).
• Where to Seek Help
  This tool from Bright Futures is for providers to use and keep current with information they need about community referrals for children with potential social and emotional problems.
• Using Mental Health Strategies to Move the Early Childhood Agenda
  This report from the National Center for Children in Poverty describes mental health initiatives in child care, early learning and home visiting programs, early health care, and statewide approaches. It contains information on screening and identification.
• New Frontiers for Identifying Young Children's Social, Emotional & Behavioral Needs (Children ages 1-5 years)
  Teleconference, May 9, 2001. Presenters: Alice Carter and Linda Likins.
• Mental Health Public Awareness Campaign
  This Web site from the Center for Mental Health Services includes information on early identification.
• Conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments
  This Web site from the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice describes functional behavioral assessment, which is generally considered to be a problem-solving process for addressing behavioral challenges in children.

Compendiums of Screening and Assessment Instruments for Social Emotional Development, Mental Health and Challenging Behavior

• Compendium of Screening Tools for Early Childhood Social-Emotional Development
  Compiled by the Infant, Preschool, Family, Mental Health Initiative, this compendium includes descriptions of screening and assessment tools, characteristics of the tools, and lessons from the field.
• Early Childhood Assessment Measures
  This Web page from New Assessment: Early Childhood Resources provides information on screening and evaluation instruments in many areas of child development, including social and emotional development, adaptive development, temperament and behavior.