Predicting Developmental Disability Type and Mental Retardation Level in Children With General Developmental Delay
Predicting Developmental Disability Type and Mental Retardation Level in Children With General Developmental Delay
The purpose of this study is to find the relationship between the stage and quality of
 developmental delay during infancy and toddler age, and the final diagnosis that the child
 gets a few years later (MR, type of PDD, CP or comorbidity of a few disorders).
The purpose of this study is to find the relationship between the stage and quality of
 developmental delay at a young age, and the final diagnosis that the child gets a few years
 later (MR, type of PDD, CP or comorbidity of a few disorders). We assume that analysis of
 developmental subtests can show the developmental direction of the child and predict his
 later diagnosis. The developmental test which is chosen for this purpose is the BSID which is
 a comprehensive and worldwide developmental test. In addition, we want to find the
 correlation between the developmental delays in early age and the intellectual functioning in
 the future. We assume that through analyzing the subtests of developmental tests we will
 succeed in predicting the expected cognitive level (IQ).

 Medical files of participating children will be analyzed. The files will be sorted and only
 those of GDD diagnosis containing BSID test data will be selected. The performances of the
 BSID test and the current diagnosis of the children will be recorded. A trained researcher
 will process the BSID data and build a database which will include the findings of the test,
 the current diagnosis of the child and the level of MR, in case the child suffers from MR
 (only or comorbidly). In order to test the research assumptions appropriate statistic tests
 will be done using the statistical program SPSS version 17.

 This study has important implications. Findings which show that the developmental tests are
 effective tools, not only to evaluate general developmental delay, but as auxiliary tools for
 diagnosing and predicting the type of disability and level of retardation. These findings are
 a breakthrough in the diagnostic field. In addition, the ability to predict the type of
 disability and level of mental retardation by a developmental test that is used so widely
 allows early intervention, and as has been widely proven, the earlier the intervention, the
 better the outcome.

 In addition, a vast range of people will benefit from the findings. Professionals such as
 doctors, psychologists and paramedical therapists, government bodies and community resources
 that can design and build a support system and services for the child and his family. Most
 importantly, the family of the diagnosed child and the child himself will be able to prepare
 themselves to the new reality and design their life accordingly.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  GDD diagnosis in two axis' at least

 -  BSID test in its second or third version

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  If not all of the data is available for all of the assessments