Table 1. Developmental surveillance, screening, and evaluation.

Process	Goal	Definition
Surveillance	Identify children who may have developmental problems	Gathering and synthesizing information about developmental progress of the child based on history, observations by parents or other caretakers and health care practitioners, and during periodic visits on a longitudinal and continuous basis over time
Screening	Identify children at risk of a developmental disorder	The administration of a brief standardized screening test
Evaluation	Identify a specific developmental disorder and its etiology if known	A diagnostic process that may involve appropriate laboratory, genetic, or metabolic testing; neuroimaging studies, and psychological testing as well as specialist consultations

Used with permission from: Patel DR. Principles of developmental diagnosis. In: Greydanus DE, Feinberg A, Patel DR, et al. editors. Pediatric Diagnostic Examination. New York: McGraw Hill Medical, 2006:629-44.