This is the third in a series of articles in Contemporary Pediatrics devoted to early detection of children with developmental-behavioral problems, the most common of all childhood conditions and one we can often treat, with good outcomes. This article covers how to help parents participate in the process of early detection and addresses these topics:

• Early intervention assessment is often critical to diagnosing a potentially treatable or preventable condition.
• Early intervention and early childhood special education services depend on early detection.
• Early intervention is associated with long-term improvements in math and language scores.
• Clinicians are responsible for discussing screening test results with parents.
• Before explaining a screen’s results, how to ask parents to discuss concerns they have about their child.
• How to tell parents that many developmental-behavioral disorders or disabilities have evidence-based treatment plans and positive outcomes