Case 3: A 4-year-old African American male, with mother, father, and paternal grandmother present. Child is here for well check for school entry. Child speaks approximately 100 words and only 50% intelligible.
Please complete each initial post in APA format following the Discussion Board grading rubric to include, but not limited to the following:
- Apply a principle of human growth and development related to appropriate age group
- Apply developmental theory related to age group
- Discuss developmental milestones related to the age
- Discuss developmental assessment tool related to the age
- Apply cultural consideration and cultural assessment to presentation
- APA format, at least three references no older than 5 years
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
This case scenario presents a 4-year-old African American male attending a well-child visit prior to school entry with speech and language developmental concerns. As a medical professor, it is essential to consider various principles of human growth and development, developmental theories, milestones, developmental assessment tools, cultural considerations, and assessments in the evaluation and management of developmental delays in children.
Answer:
Applying a principle of human growth and development related to the appropriate age group, the 4-year-old child is in the preschool age group, which is characterized by significant developments in cognitive, language, and social-emotional domains. Children in this age group are typically energetic, inquisitive, and show rapid language development (Papalia, Feldman, & Martorell, 2018).
Developmental theory related to the age group can be applied to explain the child’s speech and language difficulties. According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, children in the preschool stage develop a sense of initiative versus guilt. These children are eager to learn new skills and interact with others, and a successful resolution of development leads to the development of confidence, independence, and initiative in children (Crain, 2015). Persistent speech and language difficulties can negatively impact a child’s self-esteem and initiative to communicate.
Developmental milestones related to the age of a 4-year-old child include the ability to use simple sentences, producing sounds of nearly all consonants, improving vocabulary, and being understood by non-family members (AAP, 2021). The child in this case presents with only 50% intelligibility, which is below the expected developmental milestone.
A developmental assessment tool related to the age group is the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The ASQ is a screening tool used to assess children’s development from birth to five years in communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social domains (AAP, 2021). This assessment tool can provide objective information on the child’s developmental progress.
Applying cultural consideration and cultural assessment to the presentation is crucial in providing culturally responsive care. Healthcare providers must recognize the cultural differences and adapt care to meet patients’ unique needs. In this case, cultural assessment should include assessing the family’s beliefs, values, and practices related to the child’s development.
Conclusion:
Understanding the principles of human growth and development, developmental theory, milestones, developmental assessment tools, cultural considerations, and assessments are vital in evaluating and managing developmental delays in children. By applying these elements to clinical practice, healthcare providers can provide appropriate care to meet the child’s unique developmental needs.
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Developmental Milestones. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Developmental-Milestones-Preschool-Children.aspx.
Crain, W. (2015). Theories of Development. New York: Routledge.
Papalia, D.E., Feldman, R.D., & Martorell, G. (2018). Experience Human Development (13th Ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
