Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status - Revised (PEDS-R)

Overview

What is the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status - Revised (PEDS-R)?

Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status-Revised® (PEDS-R®) is an evidence-based method for detecting and addressing developmental, behavioural and social-emotional/mental health concerns in children under eight years of age.

The PEDS-R® developmental screening tool uses a parent-completed questionnaire to help practitioners identify children with undetected developmental and behavioural difficulties and at risk of school problems.

PEDS-R® is a simple, 12-item questionnaire that is parent-completed. The parent completes the questionnaire and then the practitioner, in partnership with the parent, scores and interprets the parent’s concerns.

Skilful application of PEDS-R® supports the early detection of developmental, behavioural and social-emotional/mental health concerns in babies and children. Early detection of concerns is essential for supporting parents to access intervention.

What does PEDS-R® help practitioners to identify?

PEDS-R® helps the practitioner identify whether:

• a child needs a developmental evaluation or mental health assessment
• parents need reassurance or further advice, and if so, on what topics
• a child should be monitored carefully over time to ensure prompt attention for any emerging problems.

How was PEDS-R® developed?

The original PEDS® developmental screening tool was developed in the USA by Dr Frances Page Glascoe PhD, a Professor of Paediatrics at Vanderbilt University. The 10 items on the original questionnaire were chosen on the basis of research data, and the language used in the questions was selected carefully.

PEDS-R® has extended the original 10 questions by adding two questions that prompt for global/cognitive and health concerns and has refined the original Paths. 

Information for parents

PEDS-R® is a developmental screening tool to help practitioners check on your child’s development by learning from any concerns that you might have. You will complete a short, 12-item questionnaire that asks about your child’s development and wellbeing.

The PEDS-R® developmental screening tool includes questions about your child’s:

• speech and language
• how your child gets along with others
• learning for school (babies learn from the moment they are born, and it is important to support parents to help children reach their full potential)
• what your child can do for themselves
• social, emotional and behaviour
• how your child uses their hands, fingers, arms and legs
• health
• how you think your child is going overall.

The practitioner will then discuss any concerns that you have and complete the scoring and interpretation of PEDS-R®.

PEDS FAQs for parents

Is the PEDS approach effective?

One of the possible criticisms of developmental screening tools is that they can be performed in isolation, without taking into account the socio-cultural context in which a child grows up, and without systematic input from parents.

There have been concerns that not involving parents actively in the process diminishes the tools’ accuracy and makes it less likely that recommendations will be followed.

The PEDS® approach is based on research findings that tell us, if parents are asked the right questions in the right way, they are very accurate observers of their child's strengths and weaknesses.

What is the evidence for PEDS® and its revision, PEDS-R®?

Using PEDS® as a developmental screening tool has been validated against standard psychometric tests in a series of studies in the USA.

Information published by Glascoe et al (2013) highlighted the sensitivity (91–97 per cent) and specificity (73–86 per cent) of the PEDS® developmental screening tool.

It also has the advantage of involving parents in the process.

The sensitivity of PEDS® in relation to the identification of disabilities i.e. learning, intellectual, language, mental health, autism spectrum disorder and motor disorders was noted to be between 71 and 87 per cent. 

In order to test the suitability of PEDS® for use in the Australian context a trial was conducted in selected Victorian preschools. Findings indicated that PEDS® was acceptable to parents of Australian preschool children and indicated that parents reported a prevalence of significant concerns (i.e. children at high and medium risk of developmental problems) that was similar to those in the USA.

PEDS® was re-standardised in 2012. Studies have found no differences in the accuracy of parental concerns on the basis of socio-economic status, number of children in the family, birth order, participation in day care, or parenting experience.

Parents’ Evaluations of Developmental Status-Revised or PEDS-R® has extended the original 10 questions by adding two questions that prompt for global/cognitive and health concerns and refined the original Paths. 

Visit the PEDS-R website