PEDS Screener

The Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) Screener

In the field of early intervention there are many different screeners and assessment tools. The Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status or PEDS screener is a type of screener that incorporates the parent/caregivers’ observations about the children’s development into understanding if they display warning signs of atypical development.

Developed by Frances Page Glascoe, a professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University, the PEDS is a screener that determines when to refer for evaluation, provide parent support and education, and/or monitor children’s development.[6] It is one of the most common and easy to use screenings for people working with the newborn to 5 years old population.

The PEDS is a particularly useful tool because it empowers parent/caregivers to voice their concerns and express what they see in their child’s development. The screener has a series of questions, asking for the parent/caregiver’s perspective on the particular question. Even if they are not knowledgeable about typical early child development, parent/caregivers are often the best source of knowledge about their own child’s development. Because the questions asked look at the child’s development in several areas, it is important to speak with a reliable parent/caregiver that has had a consistent relationship with the child and is knowledgeable about the child’s particular behaviors.

If trained in how to properly use PEDS, CASAs can use this as a tool for many aspects of their work. It should be filled it out with the primary parent/caregiver. Therefore, it can open the doors to the discussion about the child’s development. Many parents may not think about their children’s development and growth. The parent/caregiver’s knowledge and concern about the child may be reflected when you interview the person. The screener is also useful to the CASA because it may indicate areas of development that the child is not developing, and can be used to make a referral for further assessments. The PEDS also helps you determine what path to take when you are concerned about a child’s development. If a child displays significant delays, performing a PEDS screener will identify that a referral is needed. The PEDS will also identify where the parent/caregiver may need support or more education on how to get intervention services.

See Module 5, Handout 1 for a brief overview of the PEDS Screener.

CASA of Los Angeles will be conducting a in-service training on the PEDS screening in the future.

ASQ and Additional Screeners

In addition to the PED’s screener, another commonly used screener is the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition or the ASQ3. This screener is similar to the PEDS in that it can also help you determine when a child requires a further evaluation and assessment for developmental delays.

The ASQ3, parent questionnaire was developed by Jan Squires, LaWanda Potter, and Diane Bricker.[7] The questionnaire can be used for children as young 2 months and go as high as 5 years, 6 months. There are 21 individual questionnaires in order to provide screening questions for the child’s exact age at the time of screening. This screening has 30 developmental questions that cover 5 developmental domains (Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Problem Solving-cognitive, and Personal-Social). The screener takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and is written at the 4th-5th grade reading level. This screening uses illustrations to assist in understanding the questions and is available in English, Spanish, and French.

In addition to the tool mentioned above, there is also an ASQ-SE (social-emotional), which focuses on identifying children whose social and emotional development requires future assessment. This tool follows a similar format, and it is recommended that it is used in conjunction with the ASQ3 in order to obtain the most complete screening of a child’s development

Another common evaluation tool that you may be exposed to is the Hawaii Early Learning Profile, also known as the HELP. This tool can be used to determine a child’s current developmental level and indicate when they are below age level. The HELP is available for use with children 0-6 years old and screens development in the following areas: Cognitive, Language, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Social, and Self-Help. The HELP is a curriculum based screener that providers clear descriptions of each developmental skill and helps identify the next set of developmental skills needed. It is best used for program and treatment planning, but can be helpful in increasing your knowledge of overall child development.

For an example of the ASQ3 or the Family Psychosocial Screener, see Module 5, Handout 2 and Handout 3 in your Training Handbooks for a brief overview of the PEDS Screener.

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