NURS6541, N-11
Week Two As a pediatric advanced practice nurse (APN), one must consistently monitor a child?s development to detect possible issues. This monitoring over time will ensure the promotion of healthy development of the child and aid in the identification of developmental problems (Dosman, Andrews, & Goulden, 2012). For the purpose of this discussion I will evaluate a case study to determine if there are red flags that indicate developmental issues and give recommendations for screening tools, guidelines, and management strategies for the caregiver and patient.
Case Study The case I was assigned was of a 30-month-old boy named Brian that presents for a well visit. Brian can walk and run independently, climb stairs …show more content…
The Denver Articulation Screening Examination (DASE) is a tool utilized for evaluation of language and is appropriate in this situation as it only takes about five minutes. The Early Screening Inventory-Revised (ESI-R) is a parent interview related to a child?s motor, language, and cognition skills. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) takes only 30 minutes and includes 32 questions about social and emotional aspects of the child (Burns, et al., 2013). In this situation, there is an indication that Brian may have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for toddlers that have signs and symptoms of Autism. Brian?s inability to regulate his emotions may be an early sign that he has this disorder. According to the USPSTF, the recommendation is the use of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) as the initial screening tool (Siu, 2016). The PCP may also ask the parent questions such …show more content…
First, encourage his language development by talking and reading to him, and praise his efforts. Have a set schedule for eating, playing, napping, and bedtime. The parents should allow a time for play and encourage a variety of activities. Proper nutrition is imperative at any age. Meal time is an excellent time for parent-child interactions. If tantrums continue the parents should put the child in a safe place and ignore the behavior if possible (Burns et al., 2013). Treatment for ASD consists of medical, educational, speech/language, behavioral, and occupational therapy. Also, complementary and alternative approaches are available. Early detection is the key. Therefore, his parents should have him tested as soon as possible (Sui, 2016). Brian may need a referral to a speech pathologist due to his lack of