Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PMDS)

Author(s): M. Rhonda Folio, EdD, and Rebessa R. Fewell, PhD 

Year of Publication/Publisher: 2000 

Identify Type of Assessment: Standardized norm-referenced test 

Cost: $629.00 

Population: Children aged birth-6 years who need training or remediation of fine and gross motor skills.

Appropriate Settings: Inside or outside area with no distractions, but with stairs and an object the child can jump from.

Purpose of Assessment and Function Areas Assessed: This assessment provides in-depth assessment of fine and gross motor skills. It can be used to measure a child’s motor competence compared to peers, aspects of skills, skill deficits and assess progress over time. It specifically looks at reflexes, sustained control, locomotion, object manipulation, grasping and visual-motor integration. 

Administration: 45-60 minutes and it is administered individually. There are specific instructions to follow when administering.

User Qualifications: There are no specific user qualifications but this assessment is designed for Ot's, PTs, EI specialist, adapted PE teachers, and psychologists.

Materials Required: manual, administration guide, profile/summary forms, record booklet, program manual, development chart, and manipulative items in a storage box, additional materials include specified common objects and toys, paper, drawing implements, scissors, food pellets, heavy string, stopwatch, mat.

Scoring Procedure: After entry point of test is determined on basis of chronological age, basal level is determined by administering test items until child receives 2 points on 3 items in a row and it ends when the child scores 3 zeros in a row. Items are rated as 9 (unable to complete), 1 (partial completion), or 2 (completion). Subtest score is calculated by adding earned scores 

Psychometrics/Standardization: Test-retest reliability was 0.88-1.00. Sensitivity to change coefficients ranged from 1.6 to 2.1, and responsiveness coefficients ranged from 1.7 to 2.3.

Content description validity, criterion prediction, and construct identification correlation coefficients in all areas were >0.80.

Strengths: Easy to read descriptions of scoring, there are not any specific trainings to qualify for to administer and there is an alternate version offered for children with physical disabilities.

Weaknesses: cost and it can take a long time to administer which could effect the child's results if they get tired.