Can preschool developmental screening identify children at risk for school problems?

Area of Science:

• Developmental pediatrics
• Child psychology
• Educational psychology

Background:

• Early identification of developmental delays is crucial for timely intervention.
• Preschool screening tools can predict later academic challenges.
• The Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) is a widely used tool for assessing child development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive validity of the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) for school problems in first-grade children.
• To determine the association between DDST results and academic performance and IQ scores.
• To assess the utility of preschool DDST screening for at-risk populations.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 980 preschool children entering first grade were administered the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST).
• School performance and IQ scores (WISC-R) were assessed.
• Statistical analyses were performed to compare outcomes based on DDST classifications (normal, questionable, abnormal).

Main Results:

• Children with abnormal DDST results showed significantly lower school scores (26%) compared to those with normal/questionable results.
• A higher percentage of children with abnormal (43%) and questionable (27%) DDST results had IQ scores below 90, compared to 0% with normal results (p=0.05).
• Normal/questionable DDST results were associated with satisfactory school performance.

Conclusions:

• The Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) demonstrates predictive value for identifying preschool children at risk for school problems.
• Preschool screening with the DDST can aid in early intervention for developmental and learning difficulties.
• The DDST is recommended for screening preschool populations, particularly those considered at risk for adverse educational outcomes.