18 Month Visit Expert Panel Report
The OCFP and our partners undertook a research project to support a
comprehensive child assessment at 18 months. The expert Panel convened by the
OCFP submitted its report to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services on
September 30, 2005. To view the Expert Panel’s Report CLICK HERE
Not so long ago, the nature-nurture debate was just that. Today, we know so
much more thanks to the landmark work by Dr. Fraser Mustard and Margaret McCain.
The importance of the “Early Years” (ages zero to six) to lifelong health and
well-being is now well recognized and anchored in the notion of organ
plasticity.
From preconception to adolescents, organs continue to develop according to a
set pattern. These patterns can be disrupted. Good parenting and early childhood
education helps children reach their full potential and beyond. Moreover,
resilience to chronic diseases can be built in during this crucial period of
development. In the case of development delays or problems such as autism or
fetal alcohol syndrome, the earlier the problem is diagnosed and treatment is
begun, the more likely it is that good results will follow. Under these
circumstances, having solid tools to systematically assess infants and children
becomes vitally important. The well-regarded, and now almost universally used,
Rourke Baby Record has been updated and an Ontario version of the RBR is
available on our web-site. The Ontario version emphasizes the 18 month visit as
a key milestone in the development of a child. It also refers to the Healthy
Child Development selected guidelines/resources. Please download copies for use
in your practice and attend a Healthy Child Development Program through our
CME-on-the-Road program. Our hats are off to Dr. Leslie Rourke for making a
lasting contribution to Canadian children and the family doctors who serve them
so well.
Rourke Baby Record Ontario Version
Rourke Baby Record Ontario Version - Français
Male Growth Monitoring Charts
Female Growth Monitoring Charts
Nipissing District Developmental
Screen
18 Month Well Baby Visit Flow Sheet
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Report on the Evidence to Support the 18
Month Well Baby Visit
To ensure that family doctors, pediatricians, nurses and nurse practitioners
understand the strength of the evidence supporting a comprehensive assessment of
toddlers during the 18 month visit, the OCFP was funded to conduct a review of
the literature and well baby visit guidelines. The results of the process review
conducted by the Expert Panel used a consensus-building process to establish a
series of recommendations aimed at standardizing the 18 month visit. The
standardization of the processes used at the 18 Month Well Baby Visit will
ensure that all toddlers in the province are appropriately assessed and referred
to community-based series such as Early Childhood Centers to enhance healthy
development and effective parenting in the critical early years.
While the recommendations included have the need for the inclusion of a
guideline for the 18 month visit, the OCFP in collaboration with the Guidelines
Advisory Committee reviewed the evidence and developed a clinical report
addressing identified topic areas related to the 18 months and embedded in the
Rourke Baby Record supported by the Nippissing District Developmental
Screen.
Final Report for the Evidence to Support the 18 Month Well Baby Visit
Executive Summary
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