The Child Evaluation Checklist (CHECK): A Screening Questionnaire for Detecting Red Flags of Hidden Neurodevelopmental Disorders among Preschool Children

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions characterized by developmental deficits in personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning. Parents are often the first to recognize something of concern about their child’s development before seeking professional services from pediatricians. However, a practical and accessible tool for early identification of neurodevelopmental delays among preschool-aged children is lacking.

The Study Objectives were to develop the Child Evaluation Checklist (CHECK) to identify young children at risk for hidden neurodevelopmental disabilities and to establish its validity and reliability.

Methods: The study included 191 children aged 3 to 6 years, of whom 96 were referred to a child development center with suspected neurodevelopmental delay, and 95 were controls with typical development. Parents completed a demographic questionnaire, the CHECK, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Preschool version (BRIEF-P).

Results indicate that the 40-item CHECK is a reliable and valid questionnaire. A high Cronbach’s coefficient score was found for Part A (α = .94) and Part B (α = .90). Significant differences were found in the CHECK between-group scores, in the BRIEF-P global score and certain scale scores. Significant strong correlations were found between the CHECK and the BRIEP-P scores. The discriminant analysis correctly classified 84.5% of the children into the study and control groups.

Conclusion: The CHECK is efficient, short, and easy to use. Its use can increase early detection of neurodevelopmental delays among children and help professionals refer children for comprehensive evaluation and further intervention.