The first five years of your child’s life are some of the most important for her development. As she grows, she’s developing core skills—communication skills, motor skills, problem-solving skills, and social skills–that she will rely on for the rest of her life. Because these years are so vital, 211 is now offering tools and assistance to parents of children age 0 to 5 to help their kids get the best start possible.
One of these tools is the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), an easy-to-use tool to help you better understand what to expect at each stage of your child’s development and to keep track of her strengths as she grows.
You can complete the ASQ at home on your own or meet with our Ready to Grow Specialist, who will walk you through the questionnaire.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the ASQ:
What is ASQ-3?
ASQ-3 is a set of questionnaires about your child’s development. It has been used for more than 20 years to make sure children are developing well. An ASQ screening provides a quick look at how your child is doing in important areas such as communication, physical ability, social skills, and problem-solving skills. ASQ-3 can help identify your child’s strengths as well as any areas where she may need support.
What age range does ASQ cover?
The ASQ can be used for children from 1 month to 5½ years of age. Questionnaires can be completed at any or all of the following intervals: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60 months of age.
How do I complete the ASQ?
Parents or caregivers can complete the ASQ-3 independently online or make an appointment with our Ready to Grow Specialist, Lorena Chappuzeau, who will assist you with the questionnaire.
Is it parent-friendly?
No one knows your child better than you do. ASQ-3 relies on your in-depth knowledge of your child to accurately assess her strengths. The ASQ questions have been designed with parents in mind and include illustrations and examples to make the process user-friendly and fun.
How long does it take?
Questionnaires can take between 10 and 40 minutes for parents or caregivers to complete.
Does taking the ASQ cost anything?
No. The ASQ screening through 211 is free of charge.
Is it easy to do?
Yes! ASQ-3 questionnaires are written in simple, straightforward language and include illustrations and concrete examples. Each questionnaire comes with:
• Easy instructions
• An information sheet for identification
• 30 simply worded activities—6 for each of the 5 developmental areas
• An information summary sheet for scoring and general comments
How is it scored?
ASQ uses a simple formula to convert parents’ responses to points:
• Each yes response is assigned 10 points
• Each sometimes is assigned 5 points
• Each not yet is assigned 0 points
The points are totaled for each developmental area and transferred to a summary sheet. Scoring takes only about 2–3 minutes.
What materials do I need?
There are no specific tools required to complete the ASQ. You can use toys or simple household items that you already have.
What are the questions like?
A question from the Problem Solving section of the 2-month questionnaire, for example, is: “When you hold your baby in a sitting position, does she look at a toy (about the size of a cup or rattle) that you place on the table or floor in front of her?”
Where do my answers go?
If you complete the ASQ online, your completed questionnaire will be sent to our Ready to Grow Specialist, who will quickly score the ASQ and contact you within one business day.
If you would like assistance completing the ASQ, you can set up an appointment to meet with our Ready to Grow Specialist at our office. She will enter the answers from your paper questionnaire into an online database and share the results with you within one business day.
How will you contact me?
Our Ready to Grow Specialist, Lorena Chappuzeau, will contact you by phone, email, or mail.
After I complete the screening, what is the next step?
Once you have completed the ASQ questionnaire, our Ready to Grow Specialist, Lorena Chappuzeau, will contact you to share the results and discuss your child’s strengths. If it looks like there are any areas where your child may need some support, Lorena will be able to recommend community resources.
Is this information confidential?
Yes.
Is the ASQ available in languages other than English?
Yes, 211 currently offers ASQ screenings in English and Spanish.
How can I get more information about the Ages & Stages Questionnaire?
For more information about the ASQ or to schedule an in-person ASQ appointment, please give us a call by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-877-847-0499) or email our Ready to Grow Specialist, Lorena Chappuzeau, at lorenas@connectingpoint.org.