Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST II)

Jonie G. Gibaga 03-08-07

History

The Denver Developmental Materials was developed in 1960s as instruments to identify the early problems manifested in the developmental of a child. It was use by the health professionals, educators, and social service providers. But after how many years DDST was revised and improved in language and articulation. It was standardized by over 2,000 children. They interpreted in order to expand the ideas including the separation of norms for subgroups that are showing clinically significant differences in development, and allow for adaptation to a certain population. The DDST- II was developed at the university of Colorado center in Denver. (Franckenburge and Meriitt, 2000- 2007).

The goals of DDST- II were to create standardized test in an easy, quick and simple to administer and interpret the test result according to the strength and weaknesses of the child. It is use to provide an early intervention to a child. The purpose of DDST II depend on the age of the child. Newborn child to detect if there is a neurological problem like cerebral palsy. Infants to identify nature of the possible problems for the early intervention. Children to delineate academic and social problems in order to give an early intervention ( Medterm.com, 2007)

How to administer the DDST-II

For non-English speaking children translation are required. It can be administer during home visit (Community Base Rehabilitation). It can be administer in a busy setting, day care center with or without parents with the present of the teachers, caregivers or who are very familiar to a child. Parents will be asked later if there is some information need for the assessment. It is designed to the children between birth and 6 years old. It can be administer by anyone who is close to the child and can follow the direction of the DDST-II. But mostly the paraprofessional and the professional using this instrument (Frances Murphy, 10-02-01).

A. Personal Social; getting along with his or her mother going to the river caring his or her towel. B. Fine Motor Skills; eye-hand coordination, tearing the papers. C. Language: hearing, understanding, saying words D. Gross Motor; sitting, walking, jumping, and others use the large muscles.

How to interpret the Denver II

The data are presented as age norms similar to a growth curve. The more items a child fails to perform passed by 90% of his or her peers, the more like manifesting a significant developmental deviation that warrants further evaluation (Denverii.com). In each sector, administer 3 items nearest to and left of age line All items on (intersection) the age line Continue until 3 fails occur Three trials allowed to perform each item After test, record the Test Behavior Rating. Item Scoring: P for PASS, the child successfully performs or the caregiver reports (as appropriate) F for FAIL, the child does not successfully perform an item or the caregiver reposts so N.O. for NO OPPORTUNITY (this is use on report items oily). R for REFUSAL, the child refuses to attempt items (cannot be use on report items).

There is no simple, and quick developmental screening test to identify the variety of disorders of intelligence, language, mental health, motor and self help skills adapted to the developmental ranges of norms, according to the authors. It able the user to identify immediately the childs strengths and weaknesses and such construction, it gives an opportunity for further investigation in any eras of concern (Franckenburge and Merriit, 2007).

Advantage and disadvantage of DDST- II

(Frankenburg & Dodds, 07, 2003).

It is a standardized measurer that has been norm on a diverse sample. It can be quickly administered by the trained professional and paraprofessional staff. The DDST II has been criticized for lacking sensitivity in screening children who may have a problem in late developmental status or school readiness. Example: The 6 year old boy cant use the spoon and fork properly every dinner. It can be administer and score as specified, but it is asking for the cultural issues that influence the results (Meade Barlow).

Validity and Reliability of DDST II

The validity of DDST II is designed to reflect the development of a broad range of heterogeneous skills in a minimum amount of time. It is not designed to measure any single, or even a few hypothetical constructs such as intelligence, motor functioning or social skills. It was standardized by 2,000 children representing from Colorado (1980) therefore it is valid (Denvirii.com). The inter-rater and 7-10 day test retest (same examiner and sameobserver) reliability was determined for each of 141 potential items. Of the 125 items selected for the final form, 107 had excellent inter-rater reliability, 63 had excellent and 25 had fair to good test-retest reliability (Denverii.com).

Personal Critiques
In general, most of the items in DDST - II are useful in my country. However, in some cases DDST-II user must to know first our culture. Like the urban life and the village life are very different that can affects to the results of the assessment. Like for example, in some places many children learn to eat used their right hand without fork and spoon. But because of the influence of the media, now DDST II can be use in our country.

Reference
Carrie, Frankenburg & Alicia, Merrit. Denver Developmental Materials, Inc. 2002-2007, DDM, Inc. http://www.denverii.com/home.html Denver Developmental Screening Test Definition. 1996- 2007, MedicineNet, Inc. Retrieved, 03,10,2007. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9719 Frances Murphy. Denver II developmental screening test, 10/02/01. http://www.eiu.edu~mmeadows/fcs4851/InfantDenverhandout.htm Meade Barlow. Notes on cultural issues with Denver II developmental assessments in Addis Ababa. December 6, 2007. http://www.orphandoctor.com/wwo/research/m_barlow/denver2.html William K. Frankenburg & Josiah B. Dodds. Denver developmental screening test II (DDST II). www.denverii.com http://www.earlychildhoodmichigan.org/articles/7-03/DevscrTools703.htm

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