Predictive value of early developmental examination

A developmental examination was carried out on 168 children at intervals over a 3-year period. The results suggest that developmental screening of this type is effective in picking out the "poor performers" who might well benefit from preschool education and extra health visitor supervision. On the other hand, the test given to children under the age of one year failed to pick out 2 children who were found to be moderately handicapped at the time of the 3-year examination. The study under-lined some of the problems of universal screening which require further research, and the need to assess the results of developmental screening clinic.