At a glance
- At Deniz Yıldızı, developmental screening tools such as M-CHAT-R/F, AGTE, and DENVER II are used for children aged 0–6.
- AGTE and DENVER II are administered by a psychologist at our center and take about 30–60 minutes.
- A screening test does not diagnose; it catches areas in development that need support and risk signs, enabling a referral to a physician if necessary.
- Waiting with thoughts like 'boys speak late' or 'they will outgrow it' can lead to missing the valuable time of early support.
- In the early period, the family is at the center of the process; with home programs and parent coaching, daily routines turn into opportunities that support development.
Prepared by: Deniz Yıldızı Special Education content team · Scientific review: Psychologist (MSc) Burcu Cebeci Gürel · Last updated: 15 September 2026
What is a high-risk infant, and why is developmental tracking important?
A high-risk infant is a general term used for babies who are considered to have a higher probability of experiencing delays or differences in their development. Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight, those who stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit after birth, experienced difficulties during birth, or have a family history of developmental differences can be considered in this group.
Being a high-risk infant does not mean your baby will definitely have a problem. Most babies continue their development at their own pace. The goal of tracking is not to create anxiety, but to notice if something is missed as early as possible.
Sometimes there is no clear history of risk, but a mother or father feels something is different: eye contact is limited, they do not respond to their name, they do not point, or they do not produce sounds and words when expected. These feelings are also worth assessing.
Early childhood is the period when the brain is most open to learning. Therefore, monitoring development closely and starting support early if needed makes the journey of the child and the family easier.
In which situations should I apply for a developmental screening?
If one of the following situations makes you wonder, it is helpful to consult an expert without waiting. This list is for awareness, not for diagnosis.
- If your baby was born early, with low birth weight, or stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit
- If they mostly do not turn when called by name, or have difficulty making eye contact
- If they do not point at something they want or do not share their interest with you
- If they do not produce sounds, syllables, or words during the expected period, or if they lost words they had acquired
- If they are significantly behind their peers in movement milestones like sitting, crawling, or walking
- If they always play with toys in the same way and do not imitate
- If they overreact or do not react at all to sounds, touch, or light
- If your pediatrician recommended developmental tracking or if you carry a concern inside
Which tests are used in 0–6 years developmental screening?
The primary tools used for early assessment at our center are as follows. Which tool is appropriate is decided based on the child's age and the family's concern.
| Tool | What is it for? | Administered by / Duration |
|---|---|---|
| M-CHAT-R/F | A screening tool and follow-up interview done with information from the family to screen for autism spectrum risk signs in young children | Used for early screening at our center |
| AGTE — Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory | Screens the development of children aged 0–6 in language-cognitive, motor, social skill, and self-care areas using information from the family | Psychologist · 30–60 minutes · applied occasionally |
| DENVER II — Developmental Screening Test | Screens development in personal-social, fine motor, language, and gross motor areas for children aged 0–6 by comparing them to peers | Psychologist · 30–60 minutes · applied occasionally |
| Other tools | GEDEP, Ege SD Early Development Inventory, PEP-R, and PEP-3 are also among the tools mentioned for early assessment at our center | The team determines based on the child's needs |
Does a screening test diagnose? The difference between screening and diagnosis
Families often perceive a screening result as a diagnosis. However, they are different things, and knowing this difference prevents both unnecessary anxiety and unnecessary relief.
What does a screening test do?
- Provides the first piece of information on whether development is at the expected level for their age
- Shows risk signs and areas that need to be supported
- Guides for a more detailed assessment or a referral to a physician
- Helps track the course of development when repeated over time
What does a screening test not do?
- Does not diagnose
- Does not make decisions on its own; interpreted along with observation and family information
- A positive result does not mean support will never be needed in the future
- An at-risk result does not mean the child will definitely receive a diagnosis
Is it true that 'boys speak late, they will outgrow it'?
These are the thoughts we encounter most frequently in consultations. They are all said with good intentions, but sometimes cause valuable time to pass by waiting.
'Boys speak late'
The time to start speaking can vary among children. However, gender is not an excuse to wait for a delay. If you have concerns, getting an assessment is a better step than waiting.
'They are still young, they will outgrow it'
Some differences may diminish on their own, while others require support. Time does not show which one it is, an assessment does.
'Once they start talking, everything will be fine'
Speech is only one part of communication. Eye contact, sharing interest, play, and mutual interaction are also skills that should be monitored separately.
'Let's send them to kindergarten, they will open up'
A peer environment is valuable, but it may not be enough on its own for a child in need. Kindergarten and professional support should be thought of together, not as substitutes for each other.
'I read online that it is normal'
General information on the internet does not know your child. An assessment by an expert who sees your child is always more reliable than a general list.
How does the developmental tracking process proceed step by step?
At our center, every family goes through the same basic path; the assessment and program take shape according to your baby's needs.
Scheduling an appointment
When you call us, our assistant schedules a day for a comprehensive expert consultation. Requests from the website are replied to on the same day.
Comprehensive Expert Consultation
In a consultation lasting about 1 hour, Burcu Cebeci Gürel takes a detailed history of pregnancy, birth, and development, and provides you with a verbal evaluation.
Developmental screening
Depending on the child's age and your concern, tools like DENVER II, AGTE, or M-CHAT-R/F are applied; in-play observations are made.
Explaining the results
The screening result, observations, and what you have shared are considered together and explained to you in plain language. You are referred to a physician if necessary.
Parent coaching
In the early period, the strongest support is at home. We plan together how you will support development during daily routines.
Program and follow-up
If there is a need, a one-on-one program is prepared collaboratively by the team and updated every 3 months; development is tracked through periodic test repetitions and observation notes.
How do you work with the family in the early period?
During infancy and early childhood, the people a child spends the most time with are their mother, father, and the adults caring for them. That is why we place the family right at the center of the process in early intervention.
At the end of the session, we give you brief information and prepare a home program that you can apply at home. Through parent coaching, we work together to turn daily moments like eating, bathing, dressing, and playing into opportunities that support communication and development.
We plan parent coaching uniquely for every family. Considering the child's way of learning and the family's needs, we determine realistic and applicable steps for you.
At our center, studies are conducted for 0–3 years and 3–6 years age groups. One-on-one and group work are planned as a mix.
What do the common terms heard in developmental tracking mean?
- High-risk infant
- A baby considered to have a higher probability of showing delays or differences in their development. It is not a diagnosis.
- Developmental screening
- A quick preliminary assessment showing whether a child's development is at the expected level for their age.
- Diagnosis
- The naming of a condition by a physician through detailed examination and evaluation.
- Developmental milestone
- Skills like sitting, walking, or first words that most children acquire at specific periods.
- Corrected age
- The age found by factoring in the amount of premature time when assessing development in prematurely born babies.
- Joint attention
- A child sharing their interest in an object or event with an adult by making eye contact or pointing.
- Anamnesis
- Listening to the detailed history of pregnancy, birth, and development from the family.
- Home program
- A plan prepared to continue the goals worked on during sessions into daily life at home.
Frequently asked questions
For what ages is high-risk infant developmental tracking done?
At our center, developmental screening tools are used for children aged 0–6. Which tool is appropriate is determined according to the child's age and the family's concern.
Which screening tests do you apply?
M-CHAT-R/F, AGTE, and DENVER II are our primary tools. Besides these, GEDEP, Ege SD Early Development Inventory, PEP-R, and PEP-3 are also among the tools mentioned in early assessment.
How long does the DENVER II or AGTE test take?
At our center, AGTE and DENVER II are administered by a psychologist and take about 30–60 minutes. The duration may vary based on the child's age and compliance on that day.
If the screening test result is negative, does it mean my child has autism?
No. A screening test does not diagnose; it only points out risk signs and areas that need to be supported. We will refer you to a physician if necessary.
If the screening result is normal, do I no longer need to worry?
A positive result is reassuring, but development is a process. If your concern persists or if you notice a new situation, an assessment can be done again.
Do boys really speak late?
The time to start speaking can vary from child to child, but gender is not an excuse to wait. If you have concerns about speaking, we recommend getting an assessment instead of waiting.
My baby was born prematurely, how is their development assessed?
Development in prematurely born babies is mostly assessed by considering the premature time, meaning according to their corrected age. During the preliminary consultation, we listen to your birth history in detail.
Will they open up if they start kindergarten, or is support still needed?
A kindergarten environment is valuable, but it may not be enough on its own for a child in need of developmental support. Kindergarten and professional support should be thought of together.
Can I be in the room during the assessment?
In an early assessment, information obtained from the family is very important; tools like AGTE and M-CHAT-R/F are already based on family information. We discuss how the administration will be done with you during the preliminary consultation.
What happens after the assessment?
The results, observations, and what you shared are evaluated together and explained to you in plain language. If there is a need, parent coaching and an individual program are planned, or a referral to a physician is made.
How can I support my baby's development at home?
Daily routines are the strongest learning opportunities. With a home program and parent coaching, we plan together how to use moments like eating, bathing, and playing to support development.
How often are the sessions held?
For students without reports, we determine the number of sessions together with the family; for students with Guidance and Research Centre (RAM) reports, it varies according to the report.
How is progress in development tracked?
We track progress with periodic test repetitions and observation notes. The program is updated every 3 months, and you are given brief information at the end of each session.
Is the first consultation paid?
The first preliminary consultation is free. Burcu Cebeci Gürel takes a detailed history in a consultation lasting about 1 hour and provides you with a verbal evaluation.
