Batelle Developmental Inventory (BDI-3

Pediatric Evaluation Worksheet: Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI-3)

Title of Assessment:
Battelle Developmental Inventory, Third Edition (BDI-3)

Author(s):
Jean Newborg and colleagues

Year of Publication/Publisher:
2020, Riverside Insights

Identify Type of Assessment:
Standardized, norm-referenced, curriculum-based developmental assessment tool

Cost (identify source) & How to Access:

• Full Kit (Complete): ~$1,297.76
  
  

• Screening Kit: ~$482.37
  
  

• Early Academic Survey Kit: ~$306.08
  
  

• Digital Access Key: ~$180 annually per user
  Available through Riverside Insights: https://riversideinsights.com/battelle_3e
  
  

Population (who it is appropriate for [age, diagnosis, etc.]):
Children from birth to 7 years, 11 months
Appropriate for children with or at risk for developmental delays, including cognitive, motor, language, and adaptive concerns

Appropriate Settings (potential practice settings appropriate to administer assessment in):

• Early Intervention Programs
  
  

• Preschool and Early Childhood Centers
  
  

• School Systems
  
  

• Outpatient Clinics
  
  

• Hospitals
  
  

• Research Settings
  
  

Purpose of Assessment & Function(s)/Area(s) Assessed:
The BDI-3 is used to identify developmental delays, support eligibility for early intervention and special education services, and guide individualized program planning.
It assesses five developmental domains:

• Adaptive
  
  

• Social–Emotional
  
  

• Communication
  
  

• Motor
  
  

• Cognitive
  
  

Administration:

• Time: 60–90 minutes for full version; 30–60 minutes for screening
  
  

• Format: Individually administered; includes structured observation, parent/caregiver interviews, and direct assessment
  
  

• Subtests: Domains can be administered independently
  
  

• Standardization: Clear protocols and instructions are provided to ensure reliability and consistency
  
  

User Qualifications:
Requires administration by qualified professionals such as occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, or early childhood specialists trained in assessment

Materials Required:

• Examiner’s Manual
  
  

• Test Item Book
  
  

• Manipulatives Kit
  
  

• Scoring Sheets or Digital Platform (Riverside Score or Mobile Data Solution app)
  
  

Scoring Procedure (how is assessment scored and what does score indicate):
Raw scores are converted into standard scores, percentile ranks, developmental quotients, age equivalents, and developmental delays.
Automated digital scoring systems calculate:

• Developmental Quotients (DQ)
  
  

• Standard Scores
  
  

• Relative Developmental Index (RDI)
  
  

• Change Sensitive Scores (CSS)
  
  

Psychometrics/Standardization (norms, reliability/validity studies):

• Normed on a nationally representative sample of 2,500 children from birth to 7:11 years
  
  

• High internal consistency (.92–.97)
  
  

• Test-retest reliability: .79–.87
  
  

• Inter-rater reliability: .82–.97
  
  

• Demonstrated concurrent and construct validity with tools such as Bayley-III, WPPSI-IV, and PLS-5
  
  

Strengths & Weaknesses of Assessment:
Strengths:

• Comprehensive coverage of developmental domains
  
  

• Suitable for diverse populations including bilingual children
  
  

• Strong psychometric support
  
  

• Digital scoring system improves efficiency and accuracy
  
  

• Useful for both diagnostic and progress-monitoring purposes
  
  

Weaknesses:

• High cost of materials and scoring access
  
  

• Time-consuming to administer full version
  
  

• Requires extensive examiner training
  
  

• Transition from BDI-2 to BDI-3 may involve a learning curve