2 research outputs found
Early detection of communication delays with the PEDS tools in at-risk South African infants
Background: Prevalence of communication delays or disorders is increasing, possibly because of various environmental risk factors. Selection and implementation of effective screening tools are important to detect at-risk infants as early as possible. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), PEDS-Developmental Milestones and PEDS tools to detect communication delays in infants (6-12 months) in a South African primary healthcare context.
Method: A comparative study design evaluated the accuracy of the PEDS tools to detect communication delays, using an internationally accepted diagnostic assessment tool, the Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale (RITLS). A convenience sample of 201 infants was selected at primary healthcare clinics.
Results: Expressive and receptive language sensitivity scores were low across all three screens (ranging between 14% and 44%). The PEDS tools had high sensitivity (71%) and specificity (73%) ratings for the receptive and expressive language and socio-emotional domain in combination.
Conclusion: In the sample population, the PEDS tools did not accurately detect receptive and expressive language delays; however, communication delays in general were identified. Future research determining accuracy of the PEDS, PEDS-Developmental Milestones and PEDS tools for children aged 2-5 years in detecting communication delays should be prioritised
Early detection of communication delays with the PEDS tools in at-risk South African infants
BACKGROUND : Prevalence of communication delays or disorders is increasing, possibly because
of various environmental risk factors. Selection and implementation of effective screening
tools are important to detect at-risk infants as early as possible. This study aimed to evaluate
the accuracy of the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), PEDS-Developmental
Milestones and PEDS tools to detect communication delays in infants (6–12 months) in a South
African primary healthcare context.
METHOD : A comparative study design evaluated the accuracy of the PEDS tools to detect
communication delays, using an internationally accepted diagnostic assessment tool, the
Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale (RITLS). A convenience sample of 201 infants was
selected at primary healthcare clinics.
RESULTS : Expressive and receptive language sensitivity scores were low across all three screens
(ranging between 14% and 44%). The PEDS tools had high sensitivity (71%) and specificity
(73%) ratings for the receptive and expressive language and socio-emotional domain in
combination.
CONCLUSION : In the sample population, the PEDS tools did not accurately detect receptive and
expressive language delays; however, communication delays in general were identified.
Future research determining accuracy of the PEDS, PEDS-Developmental Milestones and
PEDS tools for children aged 2–5 years in detecting communication delays should be
prioritised.The Mellon Foundation for funding the
vulnerable children programme of the Faculty of Humanities,
University of Pretoria, the COPC Living Laboratory of the
University of Pretoria and the National Research Foundation.http://www.ajod.orgam2016Speech-Language Pathology and Audiolog