What Do School Nurses Do After Identifying Developmental Delay?

A developmental delay is when a child under the age of five shows impairment in development. Identifying this delay early on may help a child get the support and services she needs. The school nurse may play a role in this process.

Function

• Apart from assisting with the health and health education needs of children, school nurses are also trained to identify mental health issues, such as developmental delays, and assist children in getting the appropriate help, reports the National Association of School Nurses.

Significance

• A school nurse who identifies a developmental delay in a child can also take on the role of case manager. As part of the school's interdisciplinary treatment teams, nurses may work with other educators to bring the child's needs to their attention and help to coordinate interventions, connecting the child with care outside of the school if needed.

Features

• School nurses can also take on the role of advocate and educator for a student with a developmental delay or disability. In this capacity, the nurse might help to educate parents, family members and teachers about what the developmental delay might mean for that child and what his particular needs are.