Early detection of communication delays with the PEDS tools in at-risk South African infants

• Published in: African journal of disability 2016, Vol.5 (1), p.1-e5
• Main Authors: Van der Linde, Jeannie, Swanepoel, De Wet, Hanekom, Linique, Lemmer, Tasha, Schoeman, Karla, Glascoe, Frances P., Vinck, Bart
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original Research
• ISSN: 2223-9170; 2226-7220
• DOI: 10.4102/ajod.v5i1.223

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.