Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment (TPBA-2)

Title of Assessment
Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment, Second Edition (TPBA-2)

Author(s)
Toni Linder, Subtests were also written with help from Forrest Hancock, Jan Christian Hafer, Renee Charlifue‑Smith, Cheryl Cole Rooke, Anita C. Bundy, and Tanni L. Anthony

Year of Publication/Publisher
2008, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

Type of Assessment
Observation-based, performance-based, norm-referenced, questionnaire, occupation-based, and play-based

Cost & How to Access
$54.95
Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment (TPBA-2)

Population
Birth to 6 years old, developmental delay

Settings Where It's Used
Early intervention, outpatient pediatrics, school-based therapy, preschool and daycare environments

Purpose & Areas Assessed
The TPBA-2 looks at how a child functions during play in their natural setting. Assesses 4 key developmental areas:

• Sensorimotor

• Emotional and Social

• Communication

• Cognitive

Here’s that outline re‑phrased in your clear, student‑friendly tone. I kept every heading but smoothed the wording so it reads like notes you’d hand to a classmate—or tuck into your own binder.

Sensorimotor Development Domain (Anita C. Bundy)

1. Functions Underlying Movement – the physical foundations that let kids move in the first place
   
   

2. Gross Motor Activity – big‑body actions like running, jumping, climbing
   
   

3. Arm & Hand Use – how well a child reaches, grasps, and manipulates objects
   
   

4. Motor Planning & Coordination – putting movements together smoothly and in the right order
   
   

5. Modulation of Sensation ↔ Emotion, Activity Level, Attention – how sensory input affects mood, energy, and focus
   
   

6. Sensorimotor Impact on Daily Living & Self‑Care – the way the above skills show up in dressing, eating, and play
   
   

Support tools:

• TPBA‑2 Observation Guidelines / Notes / Age Table / Summary Form – Sensorimotor Development
  
  

Vision Development (Tanni L. Anthony)

• Visual Ability – everything from tracking and focusing to using vision during play
  
  

Support tools:

• TPBA‑2 Observation Guidelines – Vision
  
  

• Visual Development Indicators checklist
  
  

Emotional & Social Development Domain

1. Emotional Expression – how a child shows feelings
   
   

2. Emotional Style & Adaptability – flexibility when routines change
   
   

3. Regulation of Emotions & Arousal – staying calm or revving up as needed
   
   

4. Behavioral Regulation – managing actions and impulses
   
   

5. Sense of Self – awareness of “me” and confidence in abilities
   
   

6. Emotional Themes in Play – feelings acted out through pretend play
   
   

7. Social Interactions – getting along with peers and adults
   
   

Support tools:

• TPBA‑2 Observation Guidelines / Notes / Age Table / Summary Form – Emotional & Social Development

Communication Development Domain (Renee Charlifue‑Smith & Cheryl Cole Rooke)

1. Language Comprehension – what the child understands
   
   

2. Language Production – words, sentences, and how they’re used
   
   

3. Pragmatics – social rules (turn‑taking, eye contact)
   
   

4. Articulation & Phonology – clarity of speech sounds
   
   

5. Voice & Fluency – pitch, volume, and flow of speech
   
   

6. Oral Mechanism – structure and movement of lips, tongue, jaw
   
   

Support tools:

• TPBA‑2 Observation Guidelines / Notes / Age Table / Summary Form – Communication Development
  
  

Hearing & Visual Modifications for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (Jan Christian Hafer, Renee Charlifue‑Smith, Cheryl Cole Rooke)

1. Hearing – detection, discrimination, and functional use of sound
   
   

2. Visual Communication Skills – sign language, gestures, visual attention
   
   

Support tools:

• TPBA‑2 Observation Guidelines – Auditory Skill

Cognitive Development Domain

1. Attention – sustaining focus and shifting when needed
   
   

2. Memory – short‑term, working, and recall in play tasks
   
   

3. Problem‑Solving – trying out ideas to reach a goal
   
   

4. Social Cognition – understanding others’ thoughts and feelings
   
   

5. Complexity of Play – how elaborate and creative play scenarios become
   
   

6. Conceptual Knowledge – early concepts (colors, numbers, categories)
   
   

Support tools:

TPBA‑2 Observation Guidelines / Notes / Age Tables (Cognitive & Conceptual) / Summary Form

Emerging Literacy (Forrest Hancock) – observing pre‑reading and writing behaviors woven into play and daily routines.

Administration

60–90 minutes, individual, in a natural setting like home or daycare

User Qualifications
Professionals should review the manual and be familiar with developmental milestones

Materials Needed

•  manual
  
  

• Observation/questionnaire forms
  
  

• Toys and materials the child already uses in their environment
  Types of play used in the assessment may include:
  
  

• Items for pretend or symbolic play
  
  

• Items for sensory play
  
  

• Literacy-based play (books, stories)
  
  

• Sorting/matching
  
  

• Early math (numbers, counting)
  
  

• Building/blocks
  
  

• Writing, drawing, cutting
  
  

• Fine motor/problem-solving
  
  

• Memory games
  
  

• Gross motor activities
  
  

Scoring Procedure
Scoring is based on structured observation during play. For each area and subcategory, the child is rated using the following scale:

• Above Average: 25% or more above age level, no concerns
  
  

• Typical: Within 24% of age level, no concerns
  
  

• Watch: Slight concerns—keep an eye on for follow-up
  
  

• Concern: 25% or more below age level, or noticeable qualitative differences

Psychometrics/Standardization

Interrater reliability average for staff and parents = 51.8%

Strong criterion validity, content validity, and construct validity
Strengths

Observes the child in their own environment doing what’s natural to them

Gives insight into real-life functioning and interaction with people who are familiar

Multidisciplinary and collaborative

Weaknesses

Has not been updated in a while

Not a lot of info on psychometrics

References 

Brookes. (n.d.). Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment, Second Edition (TPBA2). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. https://products.brookespublishing.com/Transdisciplinary-Play-Based-Assessment-Second-Edition-TPBA2-P215.aspx 

Brookes Publishing. (2008). What data supports using TBPA? Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. https://brookespublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TPBA-Research.pdf