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The CAT/CLAMS assessment for early intervention services. Clinical Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic and Auditory
M J Rossman1, S L Hyman, M L Rorabaugh
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
Insights
The Clinical Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CAT/CLAMS) shows excellent specificity for toddlers aged 18-30 months. While sensitivity improves with age, it demonstrates good validity for developmental assessments.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Assessment
- Clinical Linguistics
Background:
- The Clinical Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CAT/CLAMS) is a recent tool for assessing young children.
- The Bayley Mental Developmental Index (MDI) is the established standard for infant developmental testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of the CAT/CLAMS against the Bayley MDI in children aged 0-36 months.
- To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and validity of the CAT/CLAMS.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 328 typically developing children was assessed using CAT/CLAMS and Bayley MDI at 18 and 30 months.
- Statistical analysis focused on specificity, sensitivity, predictive validity, and within-test validity.
Main Results:
- Specificity of CAT/CLAMS was excellent (95%-100%) at both 18 and 30 months compared to Bayley MDI.
- Sensitivity was 21% at 18 months and 67% at 30 months.
- Predictive validity (.65) and within-test validity (.69) were found to be good.
Conclusions:
- The CAT/CLAMS favorably compares with the Bayley MDI for assessing children aged 18-30 months.
- CAT/CLAMS is suitable for clinical evaluation of toddlers referred for developmental assessment before early intervention program admission.
Abstract:
The Clinical Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CAT/CLAMS) is a relatively new test of language, problem-solving abilities, and visual-motor skills for children ages 0 to 36 months of age. This instrument was compared to the Bayley Mental Developmental Index (MDI), the generally accepted standard of infant developmental tests. This study evaluates 328 normal children tested in infancy and then at 18 and 30 months of age. Specificity was excellent (95% to 100%) at both 18- and 30-month levels when compared to the Bayley MDI. Sensitivity, however, was 21% at the 18-month level and 67% at the 30-month level. Predictive validity (.65) and within-test validity (.69) are good. The CAT/CLAMS compares favorably with the Bayley MDI assessment of children between 18 and 30 months of age and can be used for clinical assessment of toddlers referred for development assessment prior to admission to early intervention programs.
