Ch 7- Use of Standardized Tests and Pediatric Practice

Which standardized test would be most appropriate for a high-risk clinic where you are evaluating an infant who is 2 months old?

• Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS- 2)

• Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)

• Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index (PEDI)

• School Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (School-AMPS)

Answer explanation

The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales provides a measurement for children 1 to 84 months of fine and gross motor development. See Appendix A for more details on Assessments.

What is the corrected age of a child born at 30 weeks gestation on May 2, 2014, who is being tested August 5, 2014?

• 3 months

• 2 weeks

• 2.6 months

• 4 weeks

Answer explanation

Infant chronologic age is 3 months 3 days, which is 12 weeks. 40 weeks is considered full term; therefore the infant is 10 weeks premature. 12 weeks – 10 weeks is 2 weeks. (Box 6-1)

Which statement is not referring to a criterion-referenced test?

• No score distribution needed; a child may pass or fail all items.

• Compares child’s performance with a list of skills

• Items chosen for statistical purposes

• Items chosen for functional and developmental importance

Answer explanation

Criterion-referenced tests compare a child’s performance with a defined list of skills that are chosen based upon importance, not for statistical purposes. (Table 7-2)

What is the meaning of a Z-score of -3.00?

• Child's score indicates he is ahead of his peers and performing well.

• Child's score places him within normal limits on this test item.

• Test is nonconclusive.

• Child's score falls below the majority of his peers on this test.

Answer explanation

Z-scores are based upon the standard deviation units. This score indicates that he is standard deviations below the mean, suggesting that the child has significant difficulty (with test items). (Figure 7-7)

Which statement best reflects how you would evaluate the clinical usefulness of a test?

• Decide upon one test to use with all of your clients and families.

• Consider what needs to be collected and discuss with colleagues.

• Ask the family which test they would suggest.

• Read the statistical methods used to validate the scores.

Answer explanation

Occupational therapists use clinical judgment when determining which test to use with a particular child. Understanding what you want to know and discussing test validity, reliability, and clinical usefulness with colleagues can help you decide.