Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS)

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

The Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) is a standardized behavioral screening tool designed to capture parental concern about children's development, behavior, and mental health. It aims to identify young children at risk for social-emotional and developmental-behavioral problems. PEDS is widely used in various healthcare settings to facilitate early detection. It also facilitates quality improvement initiatives and interventions for these young children.

How is PEDS structured, and how is it answered?

PEDS is a brief questionnaire comprising 10 open-ended questions about parents' concerns about their child's learning, development, and behavior. Parents are asked to fill out the questionnaire, usually in a healthcare setting, before a well-child visit. The questions are designed to be straightforward and non-leading, encouraging parents to provide concerns about their child or young children's development alone.

How is the assessment scored and how are the results interpreted?

Scoring the PEDS involves categorizing parental concerns into different developmental pathways: predictive, non-predictive, and those requiring further observation. A specific scoring form is used to determine the level of risk based on the type of community child health and the number of concerns cited. High-risk responses suggest significant developmental issues, moderate-risk responses indicate a need for further surveillance, and low-risk responses typically lead to routine developmental monitoring.

Next steps after using the PEDS

Based on the results from the PEDS screening, several next steps may be recommended:

• No concerns or low-risk concerns: Continue routine developmental surveillance and provide parental guidance.
• Moderate risk concerns: Conduct further developmental and behavioral assessments or refer to early intervention services.
• High-risk concerns: Refer immediately for more comprehensive developmental evaluations and consider referrals to specialists such as pediatric neurologists, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, or child psychologists.

These steps ensure that each child receives the appropriate level of care and intervention based on the specific needs identified through the PEDS and screening tests.

How to use our Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) template

PEDS is a valuable tool for identifying and addressing developmental delays and behavioral concerns in children. In this case, our template is based on the Centre for Community Child Health's (2006) adaptation of the PEDS originally developed by Glascoe (1998). This adapted template includes only the PEDS Response, Scoring, and Interpretation forms. Follow these steps to utilize our PEDS template effectively.

Step 1: Gather background information

Begin by collecting comprehensive background information about the child. This includes medical history, family history, and any previous evaluations or interventions. This step ensures you completely understand the child's context and potential factors affecting their development.

Step 2: Administer the response form

Provide the PEDS Response Form to the child's parents or primary caregivers. Encourage them to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly. The response form consists of 10 questions designed to identify parental concerns about the child’s development and behavior.

Step 3: Score the response form

After the parents complete the response form, score their responses according to the guidelines provided in the template. Each answer is assigned a score that indicates the parent's education level of concern. Pay special attention to high-scoring items, which may signal significant developmental issues.

Step 4: Interpret the results

Analyze the scores to determine the child's developmental status. Use the interpretation guide included in the PEDS template to categorize the results into areas such as no concern, needs monitoring, or requires further evaluation. This step helps prioritize the next actions based on the severity of the developmental concerns above.

Step 5: Develop an action plan

Based on interpreting the results, create a tailored action plan that addresses parents' concerns. This may include monitoring the child's development over time, referring the child to specialists for further evaluation, or implementing specific interventions. Ensure the action plan is comprehensive and addresses all identified concerns.

Step 6: Communicate with parents

Discuss the results and the action plan with the parents. Provide clear explanations of your findings and the recommended next steps. Address any questions or concerns they may have. Effective communication is crucial to ensure parents understand the process and are engaged in their child's developmental journey.

Step 7: Follow-up and reassessment

Schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the child's progress and reassess their development as needed. Continuously update the child development action plan based on new findings and ensure effective interventions. Regular follow-ups help maintain a proactive approach to the child's developmental health.

How this assessment benefits pediatricians

The PEDS is a valuable tool for pediatricians, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of developmental screenings in young children. Pediatricians gain insights into a child's developmental milestones and potential delays without lengthy testing using a simple questionnaire that parents fill out. This approach streamlines visits and utilizes parental observations, identifying behaviors and developmental problems that might not be evident during a clinical exam.

PEDS enables early detection of developmental issues, allowing for timely intervention. Early identification leads to better management strategies during critical developmental periods. Pediatricians can direct resources, refer to specialists, and advise on early intervention programs, optimizing outcomes. Additionally, PEDS helps pediatricians meet care guidelines for developmental developmental and behavioral screening only, ensuring compliance with healthcare policies and reducing oversight risks.

References

Centre for Community Child Health. (2006). PEDS Response Form - Authorised Australian Version. Bear Creek Pediatric Clinic. https://shobhanakamdarmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/peds.pdf

Glascoe, F. P. (1998). The value of 'parents' evaluations of developmental status’ in detecting and addressing children’s developmental and behavioral problems. Diagnostique, 23(4), 185-203. https://doi.org/10.1177/073724779802300401