Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: May 6, 2019
Date Accepted: Dec 25, 2019
An App for Identifying Children at Risk for Developmental Problems using Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing: Design and Validation
ABSTRACT
Background:
Using multidomain developmental screening tools is a feasible method for pediatric healthcare professionals to identify children at risk for developmental problems. However, using a specialized multidimensional computer adaptive testing (MCAT) tool is still unknown.
Objective:
We developed an App using MCAT combined with Multidimensional Screening in Child Development (MuSiC) for toddlers to help patients/their family members or clinicians to identify developmental problems at an earlier stage.
Methods:
We retrieved 75-item parameters from the MuSiC literature item bank for 1- to 3-year-olds, and simulated 1,000 person measures from a normal standard distribution to compare the efficiency and precision of MCAT and NAT (Non-Adaptive Testing) in five domains: cognitive skills, language skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and socio adaptive skills. The number of items saved and the cut-off points determined for the tool were determined. An App for a web-based assessment was demonstrated online in this study.
Results:
MCAT yielded significantly more precise measurements and was significantly more efficient than was NAT: it yielded a 46.67% (= 75-40)/75) saving in item length when measurement differences less than 5% were allowed. Person-measure correlation coefficients were highly consistent among the five domains. Significantly fewer items were answered on MCAT than on NAT without compromising MCAT’s precision.
Conclusions:
Developing an App to help parents with their own computers, tablets, or mobile phones for online screening and prediction of developmental delays in toddlers is useful and not difficult. Clinical Trial: No available
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