Developmental Development (Children and Adolescents)

Child and Adolescent Anamnesis

When working with children, the initial interview is conducted with the parents to collect developmental data.

It is essential to inquire about the prenatal stage (desire for pregnancy, medical control), perinatal and postnatal.

Cephalocaudal and proximal-distal development should be recorded: at what age the child held its head, sat up, crawled and walked.

Likewise, the appearance of language (babbling, first words) and sphincter control should be evaluated.

This information should preferably be provided by the mother to ensure greater objectivity.

Areas of Adolescent Development and Adjustment

The eight areas of development (physical, motor, cognitive, language, affective, sexual, moral and social) should be explored.

In the case of adolescents, in addition to developmental history, their school adjustment, academic performance, relationships with peers and authority figures (teachers) should be explored.

It is also vital to explore personal development, interests, attitudes, the presence of dating, sexual education and, if applicable, their entry into the labor market.

Summary

In children, prenatal and postnatal data are collected by interviewing parents. Cephalocaudal developmental milestones such as head support, walking, language onset and sphincter control are recorded.

Eight developmental areas are assessed, including physical and affective. In adolescents, school adjustment, academic performance and the quality of peer relationships are examined in depth.

It is also vital to explore personal interests, the presence of dating, sexual education and labor incursion. This allows for a complete picture of the developmental adjustment of the child being evaluated.