Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status, or PEDS, is an evidence based screening tool that elicits and addresses parental concerns about children’s development, health and wellbeing. PEDS is a simple, 10-item questionnaire that is completed by the parent.

Components of PEDS

There are four components of PEDS. 

1.  PEDS Brief Administration and Scoring Guide provides clear step-by-step instructions on administering PEDS. This booklet also includes detailed information about the use of the various PEDS forms, case study examples and statistical data related to the detection of developmental concerns.
Note:  It is not possible to correctly administer PEDS without referring frequently to the Brief Administration and Scoring Guide. Make sure you have a copy available whenever you administer PEDS.

2.  PEDS Response Form is a 10-item questionnaire completed by the parents as the first step in the PEDS assessment. Parents may complete this questionnaire at home, in the waiting room or in consultation with their practitioner.

3.  PEDS Score Form is completed by the practitioner. The PEDS Score Form identifies those concerns that predict problems when raised at a particular time in a child’s development. The practitioner is required to score the predictive or non-predictive concerns in the appropriate column.

4.  PEDS Interpretation Form is also completed by the practitioner. The information from the PEDS Score Form is interpreted using this form. The practitioner is directed to follow the appropriate pathway, which can include the following options – to refer, screen further, watch carefully, counsel parents, or reassure. There is space to record and track these decisions.

The PEDS screening tool was developed in the USA by Dr Frances Page Glascoe PhD, a Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University. The 10 items on the questionnaire were chosen on the basis of research data, and the language used in the questions was selected carefully.

Licensing

The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health holds the license to distribute PEDS across Australia and New Zealand.

PEDS materials are copyright. They cannot be photocopied, reused or reproduced without permission from The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.  PEDS materials can only be purchased from the Centre for Community Child Health using the PEDS order form.

A PEDS sub-license agreement is essential if PEDS is to be used in any of the following ways:

This applies to electronic or paper-based PEDS materials. If you or your organisation would like to know more about a PEDS sub-license agreement please contact us.