The Neuro-sensory Motor Developmental Assessment Part 1: Development and Administration of the Test

Abstract

The Neuro-sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) has been developed to meet the need for a progressive developmental assessment of infants and children. In this study a cohort of 148 preterm infants was assessed at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 months adjusted age. The results were used to classify the subjects as having normal, suspect or abnormal developmental status. The scores for each time were correlated with outcome scores at 24 months. Part One of this paper includes a description of the development and administration of the NSMDA. Longitudinal and cross correlations of scores were analysed and shown to be highly significant over the first two years of testing, thereby establishing the basis for validity and predictability of the NSMDA.