The Importance of Well-Child Visits

Date: 01/31/17

Superior wants you to know how important well-child visits are.  At each visit, your doctor checks how your child is developing. You can also talk about any concerns you might have. The doctor will pay attention to your child’s health. That includes his or her physical, mental, social and emotional health.

Every child should have a well-child exam every year. Plus, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children be checked for developmental delays and disabilities during regular well-child doctor visits at:

• 9 months
• 18 months
• 24 or 30 months

Here are reasons why developmental monitoring is important:

• Many children with developmental delays are not being identified as early as possible
• These children must wait to get the help they need to do well in social and educational settings
• In the U.S., about 13 percent of children ages 3 to 17 have a developmental or behavioral disability such as autism, intellectual disability or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Many children have delays in language or other areas that can affect school readiness

Research shows early intervention can greatly improve a child’s development. Services include therapy to help a child talk, walk and interact with others. These services can help children learn many important skills.

Although early intervention is important, intervention at any age can be helpful. Make sure your child has a well-child visit each year to address any issues.