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Assessing the predictive validity of developmental milestones
Insights
Parental reports of developmental milestones predict intellectual functioning, but other medical data is more influential. Objective screening alongside milestone tracking improves early development service referrals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Health
Background:
- Parental reporting of developmental milestones is crucial for referring children to evaluations and early education.
- The predictive accuracy of these reported milestones for later cognitive abilities requires thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive validity of commonly reported developmental milestones on intellectual functioning.
- To determine the combined predictive power of milestones with other medical and demographic data for cognitive outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a comprehensive care clinic, analyzing parental reports of milestone achievement.
- Employed multivariate analyses to assess the relationship between milestone attainment age and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) IQ scores.
- Applied stepwise regression to identify the most effective combination of predictors for WISC-R IQ scores.
Main Results:
- Developmental milestones alone explained 24% to 42% of the variance in WISC-R IQ scores.
- The predictive significance of milestones was diminished when medical and demographic variables were included.
- Medical and demographic information proved to be stronger predictors of WISC-R IQ scores than milestones alone.
Conclusions:
- Developmental milestones are validated as a criterion for referral to early development services.
- Integrating objective data, such as standardized developmental screening, alongside milestone tracking enhances decision-making for referrals.
- A comprehensive approach combining milestone data with objective assessments is recommended for optimal early intervention referrals.
Abstract:
Parental report of development milestones influences the physician's decision to refer for developmental evaluation and early education. The predictive validity of commonly reported milestones was evaluated by collecting data from records in a comprehensive care clinic. Multivariate analyses determined the relationships among age of milestone achievement and Wechsler intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) intelligence quotient (IQ) scores. Other routinely collected medical and demographic information was then added, and stepwise regressions determined the best combinations of predictors of WISC-R IQ scores. Milestones alone predicted 24 to 42% of the variance in WISC-R IQ scores, suggesting that there are meaningful relationships between the age of attainment of milestones and later intellectual functioning. However, when other medical and demographic information was added to the prediction equation, the predictive power of milestones was overshadowed by that of the new variables. Milestones are validated as one criterion for referral for specialized early development services, but adding other objective data, including standardized developmental screening, is recommended for optimal decision making.