Which standardized tools are recommended for assessing developmental milestones in children under 5 years old?

For assessing developmental milestones in children under 5 years old, particularly within enhanced developmental surveillance for children born preterm, several standardized tools are recommended:

• The Parent Report of Children's Abilities – Revised (PARCA-R) is used to identify if a child is at risk of global developmental delay, learning disability (intellectual disability), or language problems NICE NG72. This tool is validated for children aged 22 to 26 months NICE NG72. If PARCA-R is not suitable, a suitable alternative parent questionnaire should be used NICE NG72.
• For a face-to-face developmental assessment at 4 years (uncorrected age) for children born before 28+0 weeks' gestation, the following parent questionnaires are recommended to be completed beforehand and discussed during the assessment:
  • The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) 48-month questionnaire, to check for various aspects of development NICE NG72.
  • The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), to check for social, attentional, emotional, and behavioural problems NICE NG72.
• At the 4-year assessment for children born before 28+0 weeks' gestation, a standardized test to assess IQ, such as the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence 4th Edition (WPPSI) test, should be used NICE NG72.
• If cerebral palsy has been diagnosed, the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) score is used NICE NG72.