Health Screenings

Vision & Hearing:

This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades:

  • Prekindergarten (PK-4)  
  • Kindergarten (KN)   
  • First (01)   
  • Third (03)  
  • Fifth (05)   
  • Seventh (07)   
  • for students in other grades who are new to A. W. BROWN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY


Vision and Hearing Screening Requirements

The Vision and Hearing Screening Program, Texas Health and Safety Code requires that all children enrolled for the first time in any public, private, parochial, or denominational school or in a Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) licensed child-care center and licensed child care home in Texas, or who meet certain grade criteria (specified below), must be screened or have a professional examination for possible vision and hearing problems. The requirements for VISION AND HEARING SCREENING apply each year for children enrolled in any licensed child-care center and licensed child care home or school program at the ages or grades listed below: (TDHS, 2016)

 
WHO MUST BE SCREENED                                              WHEN SCREENING MUST BE DONE

4-years-old by September 1st

Kindergartners                                                                           Within 120 days of admission

Any other first-time entrants

(4 years* through 12th grade)

__________________________________

1st-, 3rd-, 5th-and 7th graders                                                 Anytime within the school year (preferably within first semester)




Parents of students who fail two vision screenings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by an eye doctor.  Parents of students who fail the hearing screening will receive a letter from nurse recommending either additional testing with the A. W. BROWN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY nurse or a more comprehensive exam by a physician.

 

Spinal:

This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades:

  • Fifth (05)
  • Eighth (08) OR   
  • Students in Sixth (06) and Seventh (09)

Spinal screening is designed to detect abnormalities that may be indicative of conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis. This is done in a private environment by the school nurse. Parents of students who have any positive findings will receive a letter from the school nurse with recommendations.

Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is a skin discoloration that may indicate high levels of insulin in the blood which results from insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can create a potential risk for the development of Type 2 Diabetes. The skin on the nape of the neck will be visually examined.

This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades:

  • First (01)
  • Third (03)   
  • Fifth (05)   
  • Seventh (07)


The screening is usually done at the same time as the vision and hearing screening. If the AN marker is noted, then the student will have blood pressure, height, and weight measured individually and privately at a later date. Parents will be notified of these specific findings.

The Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children is a state-mandated program that helps assess children who may be at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes. This assessment is conducted by certified individuals in public and private schools during vision/hearing and scoliosis screenings. Children enrolled in 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grades are assessed for high insulin levels. Children who are identified with the marker are also assessed for body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. Risk assessments are issued to the parents of these children, alerting parents of the child's risk factors and encouraging further evaluation form a health professional.

The Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children is an important program because it can help identify children who have these risk factors, all of which can increase the possibility for children to develop type 2 diabetes. Becoming aware of and understanding what the risk factors suggest can stimulate the changes necessary to prevent or delay future health problems for children who may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and/or other conditions. (TDHS, 2016)