Child Development Screening with the ASQ Questionnaire: From 2 Months to 5 Years + Online Assessment in Salamatyar

Child development means the gradual learning of skills such as talking, moving, playing, problem solving and emotional connection. Every child grows at their own pace, but when a delay in one of these areas is identified early, intervention and practice in the first years of life have the greatest effect. The ASQ questionnaire was built for exactly this purpose: a simple, valid, parent-centered tool that is used in many countries and in the child care program of Iran's Ministry of Health.

What is the ASQ questionnaire?

ASQ stands for Ages & Stages Questionnaires. It has two main versions:

• ASQ-3: Assesses developmental skills in 5 domains (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving and personal-social). It covers roughly 2 to 60 months of age with 21 age-specific forms.
• ASQ:SE-2: Assesses a child's behavior, emotions and social-emotional skills. It covers a similar age range with 9 age-specific forms.

The five main domains of ASQ-3

• Communication: making sounds, responding, speaking and understanding what is said
• Gross motor: holding the head up, rolling over, sitting, standing and walking
• Fine motor: grasping objects, using the fingers and hand-eye coordination
• Problem solving: curiosity, following a toy and learning
• Personal-social: smiling, playing with others and daily-life skills

How to read the screening result

A "see a doctor" result does not mean illness or a definite delay; it only shows that a more specialized evaluation would be useful. Many children are found to be on a normal path after assessment.

How accurate is the ASQ?

According to reputable meta-analyses (including JAMA Pediatrics), with a cut-off of 2 standard deviations the ASQ has a sensitivity of about 77% and a specificity of about 81% for identifying any developmental delay. For severe delays, sensitivity rises to about 84%. The tool performs well at identifying children without severe delay and is accepted in the national screening programs of many countries.

Steps to complete the screening in Salamatyar

1. Register your child and date of birth (exact age is calculated)
2. The age-appropriate form is selected automatically
3. Answer the questions in 15 to 20 minutes (you can continue later)
4. Receive a color-coded result and practical suggestions
5. Get a reminder for the next screening and view the growth trend

Frequently asked questions

From what age can the ASQ be completed?
From about 2 months to 60 months (5 years). The form matching your child's age is chosen automatically.

How long does it take to complete?
Usually 15 to 20 minutes. Answers are saved automatically.

If the result is "see a doctor", does my child have a problem?
No. This result is not a diagnosis and only suggests a closer evaluation. Many children are on a normal path after a specialist assessment.

What is the difference between ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2?
ASQ-3 assesses developmental skills (motor, communication and problem solving), while ASQ:SE-2 assesses behavior and social-emotional skills.

Can I show the result to a doctor?
Yes. The result page includes score details and the concerns you recorded, and you can take it with you or use Salamatyar's online visit.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice or specialist evaluation. If you are concerned about your child's development, please consult a pediatrician or a comprehensive health services center.