The Neuro-Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment Part II: Predictive and Concurrent Validity

Abstract

The Neuro-sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) has been developed to meet the need for a progressive evaluation of infants and children. The content and administration of the NSMDA has been addressed in Part One of this paper. In this study the NSMDA was used to assess a cohort of 148 preterm infants at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 months. Results recorded at each assessment were compared with developmental outcome at 24 months. This paper provides statistical evidence of the NSMDA's validity. Verification in terms of predictive validity (sensitivity/specificity), and concurrent validity is described. Although early NSMDA scores were significantly correlated with outcome at two years, 8 months was found to be the optimal age for accurately discriminating between children who demonstrated normal or abnormal developmental status.