Child Development · Screening
PEDS — Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status
10-question screen for child development concerns (ages 0-7). AAP-recommended. Identifies children needing further developmental assessment. Used alongside milestone tracking + ASQ-3. Glascoe 1997.
Last reviewed 2 June 2026
PEDS — Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status
10-question parent concern-based screen
About this page
PEDS is a copyright-protected commercial instrument from PEDSTest.com — we describe the framework but do not reproduce items. The official PEDS is required for clinical use.
pedstest.comPredictive concern categories (8)
Concerns in these categories statistically predict developmental difficulties.
Cognitive / development
Concerns about how the child is learning, reasoning, paying attention.
Expressive language
Concerns about words used, sentences, articulation.
Receptive language
Concerns about understanding what is said.
Fine motor
Concerns about hand skills, drawing, manipulation.
Gross motor
Concerns about walking, running, climbing, balance.
Behaviour
Concerns about social, emotional, behavioural functioning.
Self-help
Concerns about feeding, dressing, toileting.
School
For older children — concerns about school performance.
Non-predictive categories (2)
Concerns in these categories don’t generally predict developmental issues.
Health
Medical concerns (these typically don't predict developmental issues).
Other
Anything else.
Algorithm outputs
Path A — HIGH risk
≥ 2 predictive concerns → refer for diagnostic evaluation.
Path B — MEDIUM risk
1 predictive concern → administer a second-stage developmental screen (ASQ-3, M-CHAT-R).
Path C — non-predictive only
Counseling and reassurance; routine developmental surveillance.
Path D — no concerns
Routine surveillance; rescreen at next visit.
Educational tool only — not medical advice. PEDS (Glascoe 1998, revised 2016) is the fastest validated developmental screen (< 2 minutes). Sensitivity 85 %, specificity 80 %, test-retest reliability 0.98. AAP Bright Futures and CDC ACT Early validated tool list both include PEDS. Best used as part of a screening + surveillance combination — pairs well with the CDC LTSAE milestone tracker for ongoing surveillance.
What does this mean?
PEDS (Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status, Glascoe 1998) takes a different angle from ASQ-3: it asks parents about their concerns in 10 categories (cognitive, language, motor, behaviour, etc.) rather than milestone-based items. Research shows parental concerns are a strong predictor of actual developmental delay — parents notice things before formal testing flags them. Performance: ~85 % sensitivity, ~80 % specificity, and it’s very fast (< 2 minutes). Categorising parent concerns into “predictive” (high risk → refer for evaluation) and “non-predictive” (educate, monitor) guides the visit. PEDS is widely used in AAP Bright Futures well-child checks alongside ASQ-3 and the CDC LTSAE milestone tracker. Together: PEDS captures parent intuition + ASQ-3 captures structured milestone status + LTSAE supports ongoing surveillance between formal screens.
What is PEDS?
Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status — validated 10-question screen for child development concerns. AAP-recommended for routine developmental surveillance.
Strength: parent concerns predict actual delays ~70% of the time — parents are good observers.
When to use
- Routine well-child visits.
- NHS health visitor 1-year + 2-year checks.
- School-readiness check (4-5 yr).
- Any parent concern raised.
- Multiple times in early childhood (e.g. 9, 18, 30 months).
Result categories
- Path A: high-risk concerns → refer for evaluation.
- Path B: moderate → second screening tool.
- Path C: counsel.
- Path D: monitor.
- Path E: reassure.
Red flag milestones — when to call HV / GP
- No smiling by 3 months.
- No babbling by 9 months.
- No words by 18 months.
- No 2-word phrases by 2 years.
- Loss of any skill (regression).
- No eye contact / response to name.
- Can’t sit independently by 12 months.
- Still crawls / can’t walk by 18 months.
- Repetitive / restricted behaviours.
PEDS vs ASQ-3 vs M-CHAT-R
- PEDS: 10 questions, parent CONCERNS.
- ASQ-3: 30+ specific milestone CHECKLIST.
- M-CHAT-R: autism-specific (16-30 months).
Often used together at different ages.
Early intervention pathways
- Portage (home-based educational).
- Speech and language therapy.
- Occupational therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
- NICE NG170 autism early diagnosis hub.
- SEN coordinators; EHCP process.
Earlier = better outcomes due to brain plasticity.
Different scenarios
Scenario 1: 18-month-old, no words, parent concerned
PEDS flags language. Health visitor referral. ASQ-3 + speech & language therapy assessment.
Scenario 2: 2-year-old, parent says “he’s fine” but GP notices no eye contact
HCP-initiated screening. PEDS may not catch this if parent isn’t concerned. M-CHAT-R + autism evaluation referral.
Scenario 3: 30-month-old, late walker, otherwise typical
Gross motor flag. Physiotherapy assessment. Many catch up.
Scenario 4: 4-year-old struggling with social interaction
School concerns + parent concerns. Multi-disciplinary assessment. Possible autism / SEN pathway.
Scenario 5: PEDS negative but parent intuition is “something off”
Trust instinct. Request developmental paediatrician referral or private assessment.
Care guidance — PEDS / development
- Routine surveillance at well-child visits.
- Combine with milestone checklists.
- Trust parental concerns.
- Early intervention works.
- Regression always warrants assessment.
- Multiple screens at different ages.
- Health visitor good first port of call.
- Private developmental paediatrician option.
Sources
- Glascoe FP. Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) 1997.
- AAP. Developmental surveillance and screening in primary care.
- NICE NG170. Autism in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis.
- NHS Health Visitor. 1-year + 2-year developmental reviews.
Recommended for this calculator
Frequently asked questions
What is the PEDS tool?
PARENTS' EVALUATION OF DEVELOPMENTAL STATUS — validated 10-question screening tool for child development concerns. Created by Frances Glascoe (1997). ASKS PARENTS about their CONCERNS in areas: global/cognitive, expressive language, receptive language, fine motor, gross motor, behaviour, social, self-help, school, other. Used 0-7 YEARS. EVIDENCE: AAP-recommended for routine developmental surveillance. STRENGTH: parent concerns predict actual delays ~70% of the time — parents are good observers.
When is PEDS used?
ROUTINE developmental check-ins: well-child visits, NHS health visitor 1-year + 2-year checks; school-readiness checks (4-5 yr); ANY parent concern raised. SHOULD be done multiple times in early childhood (e.g. ages 9, 18, 30 months — AAP schedule). EASY to repeat — same form, takes 5-10 minutes. NOT a diagnosis — a SCREEN identifying children needing further assessment.
What does PEDS show?
ANALYSES parent concerns into PREDICTIVE categories: (1) HIGH-RISK concerns (in areas predictive of delay) — language, fine motor, global. (2) MODERATE-RISK concerns — gross motor, behaviour. (3) LOW-RISK concerns. RECOMMENDATIONS by PEDS category: PATH A (high-risk): refer for evaluation; PATH B: screen with other tool; PATH C: counsel; PATH D: monitor; PATH E: reassure. NOT every parent concern = developmental issue; many are normal variation. PEDS analysis informs which need follow-up.
Should I be concerned if PEDS flags issues?
PARENT CONCERNS in specific areas → 'high-risk' PEDS result → FURTHER ASSESSMENT recommended. EVALUATIONS: structured developmental tests (Bayley, Battelle, ASQ-3); speech-language assessment; occupational therapy; paediatrician review; if autism concerns — M-CHAT-R or autism specialist. NEXT STEPS not always 'something is wrong' — sometimes confirms typical development; sometimes identifies needs for support. EARLY INTERVENTION when applicable improves outcomes significantly.
How does PEDS compare to ASQ-3?
PEDS: 10 questions for PARENT concerns (subjective). ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire): age-specific developmental milestones checklist (objective items — 'does your child stack 3 blocks'). BOTH validated; complementary. PEDS quicker (5 min) for screening; ASQ-3 longer (10-20 min) for richer detail. AAP supports either or both. M-CHAT-R: AUTISM-specific (16-30 months). Each serves different purpose; combinations often used at different ages.
What ages can PEDS be used?
BIRTH to 7 YEARS. Adapts to age. SAME 10 questions used regardless of age. INTERPRETATION software / online versions adjust by age. Available in: paper form, online tools, integrated into electronic medical records. AVAILABLE in many languages. PARENT-completed at home or during appointment.
What if I don't have concerns but child is having trouble?
PEDS misses some children — parent concerns rely on parental insight + awareness. HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS also screen + observe. PEDS combined with milestone checklists + clinical observation more comprehensive. SOMETIMES parents minimise concerns (denial, normalising); sometimes maximise (anxiety). HEALTH VISITOR / GP can identify issues parents don't see. SECOND OPINION reasonable if you sense something off even with normal PEDS.
What are red flag developmental milestones?
CALL HEALTH VISITOR / GP if: NO smiling by 3 months; NO BABBLING by 9 months; NO WORDS by 18 months; NO 2-WORD PHRASES by 2 years; LOSS of any skill (regression — very concerning); NO eye contact / response to name; CAN'T SIT independently by 12 months; STILL crawls/can't walk by 18 months (some normal variation); REPETITIVE / RESTRICTED behaviours (autism concern); LACK of interest in other children by 3 years. EARLY assessment + intervention valuable.
What is early intervention?
STRUCTURED therapies + support for children with developmental delays. UK NHS: PORTAGE (home-based educational intervention); SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY; OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY; PHYSIOTHERAPY; AUTISM-specific (early diagnosis hub, NICE NG170); SEN (special educational needs) coordinators; EHCP (Education Health Care Plan) — formal assessment process. EARLIER = better outcomes (brain plasticity). REFERRAL via GP, health visitor, school SENCO.
What about late-developing children who catch up?
MANY CHILDREN are late in one area + catch up normally. EXAMPLES: late walkers; late talkers (~10% of 2-year-olds, most catch up). LATE BLOOMER OR DELAY? Hard to distinguish — that's why screening + follow-up matters. CHILDREN with sustained concerns or multiple areas affected more likely true delay. NEUROTYPICAL DIVERSITY exists. ASSESSMENT informs — doesn't always mean intervention; sometimes 'wait and see' with planned review.
Does PEDS help with autism diagnosis?
INDIRECTLY. PEDS may flag concerns that prompt autism-specific evaluation. M-CHAT-R is autism-specific screen for 16-30 months. CONCERNS that warrant autism evaluation: no eye contact; no response to name; no joint attention (sharing focus); no pointing; lining up toys; repetitive behaviours; speech delay or regression. AUTISM ASSESSMENT pathway: GP → autism diagnostic team → multi-disciplinary assessment (paediatrician + SALT + OT + psychology). NICE NG170 supports early diagnosis.
What's the difference between PEDS and ASQ-3?
PEDS = parent CONCERNS questionnaire (10 questions about worries). ASQ-3 = parent CHECKLIST of specific milestones (does child do X). PEDS faster, less detailed; ASQ-3 longer but richer. BOTH validated, AAP-supported. CHOOSE based on availability + purpose. PEDS often + ASQ-3 if PEDS flags concerns. UK NHS Health Visitor often uses ASQ-3 for routine 1-year + 2-year checks.
Where can I find PEDS / ASQ online?
OFFICIAL versions PAID — PEDSTest.com (PEDS), Brookes Publishing (ASQ-3). UK health visitor delivers ASQ-3 at routine checks. PRIVATE practitioners use both. INFORMAL versions / parent-only versions widely available online — not validated. APPS: some include PEDS-style questions. PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT supersedes online screens.
What if I disagree with the result?
VALID — get a second opinion. PEDS / ASQ-3 are SCREENS, not diagnoses. PARENT KNOWLEDGE of own child trusted. PURSUE further evaluation if you remain concerned. SOMETIMES screening misses things; sometimes flags false positives. CHILD DEVELOPMENT clinic referral via GP. PRIVATE assessment with developmental paediatrician (£200-500). DON'T let one screening result close the question — continued observation + advocacy if needed.
How does this relate to other calculators on BumpBites?
Companion: /calculators/milestone-tracker for specific milestones; /calculators/mchat-r for autism screen; /calculators/asq-3; /calculators/baby-percentile; /calculators/separation-anxiety; /calculators/sleep-regression; /calculators/baby-growth-spurt.