Functional assessments of preschool children: Optimizing developmental andfamily supports in early intervention

There are major gaps in provision of services re, vulnerable preschool popu lations that comprehensively link a child's strengths and challenges across health, home, developmental, social, and community systems. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of measures of functional assessment o f essential activities: in self-care, mobility, communication, and social c ognition in preschool children. Psychometric properties of the various test s are described. By developing a common language that simultaneously celebr ates developmental accomplishments and addresses the ecology of enablement, early childhood professionals can prioritize comprehensive primary, second ary, and tertiary prevention strategies that optimize family supports and c ommunity participation.