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How Do You Monitor Growth And Development And Screen For Delays In Children?

Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Juliana Nahas, MD, FAAP, FMACP

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

The Short Answer (For Parents Watching Closely)

We monitor growth and development early, often, and thoughtfully — and we take parental concerns seriously. At Cedars Functional Medicine, we don’t believe in “wait and see” when something feels off. We believe in watch, listen, screen appropriately, and support proactively — while keeping things calm, hopeful, and child-centered.

First, Let’s Normalize A Common Fear

Almost every parent has had at least one moment of: “Is this normal… or should I be worried?” Maybe it’s speech. Maybe it’s motor skills. Maybe it’s behavior, attention, social interaction, or growth. Here’s the good news: Early questions lead to early clarity — and early support leads to better outcomes. Our job is not to label children. Our job is to understand them.

What We Mean By “Monitoring Growth And Development”

Growth and development are not just numbers on a chart or boxes on a checklist. We look at:
  • Physical growth (height, weight, head circumference when appropriate)
  • Motor development (gross and fine motor skills)
  • Speech and language development
  • Social and emotional development
  • Learning, attention, and behavior
  • Sensory processing and regulation
This happens at every well-child visit, from infancy through adolescence — not just when a problem is obvious.

Using AAP-Recommended Developmental Screening Tools

We follow American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for developmental surveillance and screening. That means we use validated, age-appropriate screening tools, including:
  • General developmental screens in infancy and early childhood
  • Autism-specific screening at recommended ages
  • Speech, language, and motor assessments
  • Social-emotional and behavioral screens when appropriate
These tools help us:
  • Catch concerns earlier
  • Track patterns over time
  • Reduce guesswork
  • Make informed decisions about next steps
And no — a screening is not a diagnosis. It’s a conversation starter.

Autism Screening: Early, Respectful, And Hopeful

Autism screening is a routine part of pediatric care — not a judgment, not a prediction, and not a label. We screen early because:
  • Earlier support leads to better communication, social, and adaptive outcomes
  • Many children benefit from services even without a formal diagnosis
  • Families deserve clarity, not uncertainty
We approach autism screening with:
  • Careful explanation
  • Respect for neurodiversity
  • Focus on strengths and challenges
  • A proactive mindset
If screening raises questions, we guide families through next steps calmly and clearly.

Speech And Language Delays

Speech and language concerns are one of the most common reasons parents worry — and one of the most treatable areas when addressed early. We assess:
  • Expressive language (what your child says)
  • Receptive language (what your child understands)
  • Social communication
  • Speech clarity and sound development
When needed, we refer early for speech therapy (ST) — not because something is “wrong,” but because support helps skills develop more smoothly.

Motor And Physical Development Delays

Motor development includes more than just walking on time. We look at:
  • Gross motor skills (sitting, crawling, walking, running)
  • Fine motor skills (grasping, drawing, self-care)
  • Coordination and muscle tone
  • Endurance and physical confidence
When concerns arise, we may recommend physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT) — often with excellent results.

Our Integrative, Proactive Approach (This Is Where We’re Different)

Conventional pediatrics often focuses on diagnosis and referral. We do that — and more. Our integrative approach means we also ask:
  • What supports this child’s nervous system?
  • Are there nutritional factors affecting development?
  • Is sleep restorative?
  • Are there environmental or toxic exposures playing a role?
  • How can we support the whole child — not just one skill?

Therapeutic Support Options We Commonly Use

When delays or concerns are identified, we build individualized, multi-layered support plans, which may include:
  • Speech Therapy (ST)
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Physical Therapy (PT)
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) when appropriate
  • Psychotherapy or play therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Equine (horse) therapy
  • Nutrition and lifestyle support
  • Screening for environmental or toxic contributors
Not every child needs every therapy. The right mix depends on the child — and evolves over time.

Environmental And Lifestyle Factors Matter

As integrative pediatricians, we pay attention to:
  • Nutrition quality and adequacy
  • Sleep patterns
  • Screen exposure
  • Stress and emotional environment
  • Potential environmental or toxic triggers when clinically indicated
This doesn’t mean assuming a cause — it means leaving no important stone unturned.

What We Don’t Do

We do not:
  • Ignore parent intuition
  • Dismiss concerns as “just a phase” without evaluation
  • Delay support when early intervention could help
  • Take a one-size-fits-all approach
We also don’t panic families. Our tone is always: calm, hopeful, and practical.

Our Bottom Line

Monitoring growth and development is one of the most important things we do as pediatricians. Our approach is:
  • Proactive, not reactive
  • Evidence-based, not rushed
  • Integrative, not fragmented
  • Supportive, not judgmental
If something feels off, we want to know — and we’ll walk with you through the next steps.

Sources & Trusted Guidance

  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • PubMed-indexed developmental and early intervention research
This content is for educational purposes and does not substitute personalized medical advice.

Dr. Juliana Nahas, MD, FAAP, FMACP

When Dr. Nahas was a young doctor, she had two separate parents with a child with ADHD come in to the clinic in one day, and one parent asked for medication straight away, while the other refused medication and was seeking natural solutions instead.

Areas Served

Dr. Nahas’s private practice is 100% virtual and serves patients across the entire state of Florida. While the practice is registered in St. Petersburg, care is delivered remotely, allowing access to individuals and families throughout Florida without geographic restriction.

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