Which pairing correctly matches a widely used early childhood developmental screening tool with an adolescent mental health screen?

Which pairing correctly matches a widely used early childhood developmental screening tool with an adolescent mental health screen?

• A. M-CHAT-R/F for early childhood; PHQ-2 for adolescents
• B. Denver Developmental Screening Test (Denver II) for early childhood; CRAFFT for adolescents
• C. Bayley Scales for early childhood; GAD-7 for adolescents
• D. Ages and Stages Questionnaire for early childhood; PHQ-9 for adolescents

Answer: (B)

Matching screening tools across ages relies on using instruments designed for the child’s stage. For early childhood, the Denver Developmental Screening Test, typically used as Denver II, is a standard, broad screen that quickly checks milestones across motor skills, language, personal-social skills, and problem-solving. It helps identify children who may need further evaluation before school entry. For adolescents, the CRAFFT screening tool is a concise, widely used instrument to detect risk-related substance use and related problems in youth, typically ages 12 to 18, and is commonly deployed in primary care settings alongside mental health assessment. Together, these two tools reflect appropriate matches: a comprehensive developmental screen for early childhood and a focused adolescent risk screen that often covers mental health concerns. Other pairings mix tools targeted at much younger children (such as autism screening or infancy-focused assessments) or screens not as widely used for adolescent mental health in routine practice.

Matching screening tools across ages relies on using instruments designed for the child’s stage. For early childhood, the Denver Developmental Screening Test, typically used as Denver II, is a standard, broad screen that quickly checks milestones across motor skills, language, personal-social skills, and problem-solving. It helps identify children who may need further evaluation before school entry. For adolescents, the CRAFFT screening tool is a concise, widely used instrument to detect risk-related substance use and related problems in youth, typically ages 12 to 18, and is commonly deployed in primary care settings alongside mental health assessment. Together, these two tools reflect appropriate matches: a comprehensive developmental screen for early childhood and a focused adolescent risk screen that often covers mental health concerns. Other pairings mix tools targeted at much younger children (such as autism screening or infancy-focused assessments) or screens not as widely used for adolescent mental health in routine practice.