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Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status - Revised (PEDS-R)

For Practitioners

  • For Practitioners

    Parents’ Evaluations of Developmental Status-Revised or PEDS-R® is an evidence-based method for detecting and addressing developmental, behavioural and social-emotional/mental health concerns in children under eight years. 


    Is the PEDS approach effective?

    One of the criticisms of developmental screening tools is that they tend to be performed in isolation, without taking into account the socio-cultural context in which a child grows up, and without systematic input from parents. There have been concerns that not involving parents actively in the process diminishes the tools’ accuracy and makes it less likely that recommendations will be followed. The PEDS® approach is based on research findings that tell us, if parents are asked the right questions in the right way, they are very accurate observers of their child's strengths and weaknesses.


    What is the evidence for PEDS® and its revision, PEDS-R®? 

    Using PEDS® as a developmental screening tool has been validated against standard psychometric tests in a series of studies in the USA. Information published by Glascoe et al (2013) highlighted the sensitivity (91–97 per cent) and specificity (73–86 per cent) of the PEDS® developmental screening tool. It also has the advantage of involving parents in the process. The sensitivity of PEDS® in relation to the identification of disabilities i.e. learning, intellectual, language, mental health, autism spectrum disorder and motor disorders was noted to be between 71 and 87 per cent. 

    In order to test the suitability of PEDS® for use in the Australian context a trial was conducted in selected Victorian preschools. Findings indicated that PEDS® was acceptable to parents of Australian preschool children and indicated that parents reported a prevalence of significant concerns (i.e. children at high and medium risk of developmental problems) that was similar to those in the USA. PEDS® was re-standardised in 2012.  Studies have found no differences in the accuracy of parental concerns on the basis of socio-economic status, number of children in the family, birth order, participation in day care, or parenting experience.


    PEDS-R®

    Parents’ Evaluations of Developmental Status-Revised or PEDS-R® has extended the original 10 questions by adding two questions that prompt for global/cognitive and health concerns.

    Where PEDS-R® is used as a formal developmental screening tool, we urge the usual cautions:

    • A screening tool is not diagnostic, and clinical diagnoses should not be made on the basis of responses on the PEDS-R®.
    • If the use of the PEDS-R® raises major concerns about the child, then full developmental assessment needs to take place before any firm clinical conclusions can be made.
    • A secondary screening tool may also be used as part of the evaluation.


    What are some other developmental screening tools in use in Australia?

    BRIGANCE® www.hbe.com.au/series-brigance.html
    The BRIGANCE® Early Childhood Screen is a tool that assists in identifying developmental needs quickly and accurately, allowing professionals to easily identify potential learning delays and giftedness in children.

    Ages and Stages  Questionnaires® 3rd Edition (ASQ®- 3)  

    The Ages and Stages Questionnaires®, 3rd Edition (ASQ®-3) is a developmental and social-emotional screening tool that is highly reliable and valid. The ASQ®-3 looks at strengths and trouble spots, educates parents about developmental milestones, and incorporates parents’ expert knowledge about their children.

    Developmental screening tools such as BRIGANCE® and the ASQ®-3 can be used as a secondary screen to increase specificity following the application of PEDS-R®. These tools can also be used as a primary screen when PEDS-R® is not appropriate, if there are:

    • parental difficulties communicating or a language barrier
    • practitioner concerns but parents have no concerns.


    How is PEDS-R® used with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities?

    PEDS-R® is used in many different ways with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

     Translated PEDS-R® Response Forms

    The PEDS-R® Response Forms have been translated for use with specific language and cultural groups. These translations provide as much consistency in validity, sensitivity and specificity as possible for the use of PEDS-R® as a developmental screening tool.

    Translated PEDS-R® Response Forms are available in 30 languages: Arabic, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Congolese/Swahili, Czech, Farsi, French Canadian, French, German, Greek, Haitian-Creole, Isixhosa, Korean, Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish), Lao, Malay, Pashto, Portuguese, Portuguese/Brazilian, Quechua, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese.

    Please contact us if you require copies of PEDS Response Forms in a language other than English.


    Using interpreters to assist with administering PEDS-R®

    Practitioners, in partnership with the parent, will decide if an interpreter is required to support the PEDS-R® conversation. This decision will be influenced by the parent’s level of literacy in their spoken language, as well as their understanding of spoken and written English. When an interpreter is used to administer PEDS-R® without an official translation, practitioners must be extremely cautious about interpreting results, as the validity as a developmental screening tool is reduced. There should be a very low threshold for the use of a secondary screening tool administered by the practitioner (e.g. Brigance) for the purposes of screening children’s development. However, in these circumstances PEDS-R® continues to have great effect as a tool for engaging parents in discussion about their child’s development.


    What training is required to use PEDS-R®?

    The PEDS-R® online, self-paced tutorial

    The PEDS-R® online, self-paced tutorial is the essential training program for both practitioners who have previously completed PEDS® training and practitioners who are new to PEDS-R®.        

    The tutorial provides comprehensive information on PEDS-R®, covering its background, usage and how to score and interpret parent or carer responses. Through the tutorial, practitioners will learn:

    • the background of PEDS-R®
    • the components of PEDS-R®, including a detailed walk-through of the PEDS-R® booklet
    • how to administer PEDS-R®
    • how to score and interpret parent responses
    • next steps to take with parents.

    Training is critical to ensure PEDS-R® is administered accurately. At the completion of the tutorial, there is a certification test to ensure knowledge has been accurately obtained and the participant has mastered the subject matter. 

    To register for the PEDS-R® online, self-paced tutorial, visit our Training page.


    How is PEDS-R® used in research?

    PEDS® (the version of PEDS® prior to PEDS-R®) has been used in a wide variety of research studies to screen children’s development, either as a means of determining eligibility for a particular study or as an outcome measure. See examples of PEDS-R® in research.