Developmental Assessment: The Clinical Use and Validity of Parental Report

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Abstract
The Minnesota Child Development Inventory (MCDI) provides an easily administered, time- and cost-effective means for parents to report their child's developmental status. The present study examined its concurrent validity in identifying the developmental status of 138 young patients (1–6 years) referred to apediatric hospital. The results showed that, consistent with previous studies, the MCDI does have clinical validity in identifying the correct developmental status of preschoolers, but it was significantly poorer in identifying the developmental status of infants. The results are discussed in terms of a possible developmental trend in the accuracy of parental questionnaires in early developmental assessment.