Early Detection of Developmental Disorders Screening for Early Childhood

Screening for early childhood is very important, because in the life span perspective childhood will determine the next period. Early childhood teachers often feel confused when seeing their student experiencing developmental delays, but find it difficult to do early detection, due to some of the same behavioral characteristics that are shared by several developmental disorders. Gullo (2005) which states that the development of the screening area can be viewed from three areas: (1). Area of visual motor skills and adaptation, (2). Areas of language and thinking, and (3). Gross motor area. Thus, this measure will see aspects of sensory development, relationships, emotions, cognition and physical. The constructed measuring tool for early detection developmental disorders (ED3) has been through the pilot phase of study and field testing. In the pilot study, the measuring tools was specifically used to detect the tendency of some developmental disorders, such as autism, mental retardation, ADD/ADHD, and learning difficulties. Furthermore, in the process of professional judgment, focus group discussion was conducted to generate this early detection developmental disorders (ED3) screening tool. In the process of field testing, 40 people from field personnel (bunda PAUD) were trained to use the measuring instruments. Field test was conducted on 389 children, 204 boys and 185 girls who are considered problematic. The range of subject's age was 17-74 months with an average age of 46 months. Field test results showed that this measuring tool can be adminitered by the teacher or adult who is close to early children. This instrument is equipped with the manual tools, as well as supporting tools such toys, whistles, scissors, crayons, beads and strings. This screening tool can be used along with other tools and is useful for early detection.