Forepath Listens to Parents
On this site you will take Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS). PEDS is a series
of questions written and researched by faculty in the Departments of Pediatrics
at Vanderbilt and Penn State Universities. PEDS was tested on more than 1000 children from
all around the United States in four separate research studies published in national journals
of pediatrics. In the studies, children were given PEDS plus diagnostic tests
including IQ, language, emotional and social skills, fine and gross motor skills and so
forth. Parents' answers to PEDS questions were then compared to the results of the
diagnostic test batteries.
This process showed that some concerns were related to actual problems and other concerns were related to typical development. PEDS identifies which children may have problems such as autism, learning disabilities, speech-language impairments, mental retardation, or cerebral palsy. PEDS also tells which children probably do not have such problems. It does not identify specific problems. Only diagnostic testing can do this.
The information you give us is scanned by a scoring engine that looks for specific words and phrases. When words and phrases associated with developmental and/or behavioral problems are identified, the results will tell you the level of risk and what to do next. Depending on the number and kinds of concerns you raise, you will be directed to specific types of testing such as more indepth screening, speech-language or psychoeducational work-ups. Some concerns are not associated with developmental or behavioral problems and in these cases, the results will let you know that your child is at low risk but will direct you to information that can be helpful in promoting development and parenting skills.
If your child is 18 months through 4 years of age, you will also take the M-CHAT. The M-CHAT looks specifically for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). If the risk level on the M-CHAT is also high, the results you receive direct you to follow the process recommended by the American Academy of Neurology and will suggest the need for a range of medical screens and additional testing by an ASD specialist.
If you have questions or comments about the results, please send feedback through the site. We also encourage parents to follow the recommendations in the results page and referral letters and then return to the site and let us know how our service helped you and your child.