Overview 

Authors: Folio, M.R. & Fewell, R.R.

Year of Publication: 2023 (3rd edition)

Publisher: PRO-ED, Inc.

Type of Assessment: 

• Standardized

• Norm-referenced

• Performance-based

• Observation-based

Cost: $820

How to Access: https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Peabody-Developmental-Motor-Scales%2C-Third-Edition/p/P100049000?tab=product-details 

Age: Birth to 5yr-11 mons

Diagnoses: Does not specify diagnoses - the goal is to deemphasize disability, but has been used to address children with: coordination and movement control problems; cognitive limitations; attention difficulty; strength & endurance limitations; hearing & vision impairments; communication deficits; sensory sensitivity

Setting: Early Intervention, schools, pediatric outpatient, hospitals, rehab centers, early education, home health

Areas Assessed:

• Fine Motor

  • Hand Manipulation (e.g. grasping & reaching)

  • Eye-Hand Coordination (e.g. stacking & drawing)

• Gross Motor

  • Body Control (e.g. balance & posture)

  • Body Transport (e.g. walking, running)

  • Object Control (e.g. throwing, kicking)

  • Physical Fitness

Administration 

Time: 45-60 mins (depending on child's age, knowledge, & motor/other abilities

• Gross or Fine Motor indices = 20-30 mins

• Physical fitness = 15-20 mins

Group/Individual: Individual

Subtests: Can be given in any order and broken into shorter sessions if the child needs - recommended each composite be completed within a 5-day period

Instructions: General: Begin testing using the entry point associated with the child's age in months. 

• The test should be administered one-on-one with items in order until the child earns a score of 0 on three consecutive items. 

• If a basal was not obtained, return to the entry point & test backward until child earns a score of 2 on three consecutive items.

• Each subtest contains the item number, item description, scoring criteria, materials, position, & procedure to follow for each individual item.

• Within the subsections, questions are divided based on the age of entry expected of the child to submit

Materials: Manual, record booklet, supplemental subtest booklet, item administration guide, motor activities program, Peabody motor development chart, Test materials (poker chips, cubes, clothespins, tennis balls, yoga mat, yard stick, crayon, tape measure, tape), scoring overlay,

User Qualifications: Must have formal training in administering tests & interpreting assessment data including basic understanding of testing statistics, knowledge of basic procedures governing test administration, scoring & interpretation, & specific information about motor skills evaluation

Scoring Procedures  

How to Score: The child's performance on items is scored as a 2, 1, or 0. Each item must be scored according to the specific criteria provided. On items that require timing or measurement, you may round to the nearest whole number when evaluating the child's performance.

(2) The child performs the item according to the criteria specified for mastery.

(1) The child's performance shows a clear resemblance to the item mastery criteria but does not fully meet the criteria

(0) The child cannot or will not attempt the item, or the attempt does not show that the skill is emerging.

• For each subtest, a total raw score is determined by adding the total scores for each item within the subsection and input online to calculate the:

  • converting raw scores into scaled scores

  • generating composite index scores

  • composite & subtest comparisons

  • age of item mastery

  • age equivalents

  • percentile ranks

Score Indications: 

Basal: Three consecutive scores of 2.

Ceiling: Three consecutive scores of 0.

The raw scores are converted to age equivalents, percentiles, standard scores, and quotients 

Psychometrics

Reliability: 

• Internal consistency - High (.89-.97)

• Test-retest - High (.82-.93)

Validity: 

• Item validity - provides a valid assessment of motor skills

• Good construct & content validity

Pros & Cons

Strengths: 

• Standardized

• Normative samples allow for age-based comparisons

• Useful in clinical, educational, & research settings

• Activities are appealing to the children

Weaknesses: 

• Administration can be time-consuming - overwhelming for children

• Only motor focused- does not consider other developmental domains

• Expensive 

• Limited cultural sensitivity 

References

• PDMS-3 - Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Third Edition (n.d.). Pearson Assessments US. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Peabody-Developmental-Motor-Scales%2C-Third-Edition/p/P100049000?tab=product-details