Screening for communication and cognitive disorders in infants and toddlers.

Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) have a primary role in providing parent-inclusive well-child physical and developmental examinations. Although routine physical examinations are well defined, developmental assessments, including communication and cognition, are not. Currently a number of developmental screening tests exist; however, none have become established as the "gold standard" for the primary health care professional as none are convenient or time-efficient to employ.