Evaluates the development of children up to age seven.

The Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development is an individually administered test that evaluates the development of children up to age seven. It is a popular readiness and screening test and is often used to identify children with developmental delays, aid in designing individualized educational programs for them, and monitor progress over a period of time. Altogether, the 200-item test takes between 30 and 60 minutes to administer, depending on how many of its 11 sections are used with a particular child. Questions are answered by either oral or written response or by pointing to pictures. Two other components of the test are direct observation of the child by the examiner and an interview with the parents to gather additional information about the child's skills. The test evaluates the following skills, in the order in which they are developed: preambulatory, gross motor, fine motor, prespeech, speech and language, general knowledge, readiness, basic reading, manuscript writing, and basic math skills. Test results are expressed as developmental ages. They can be entered in an individual record book and charted over time as the child's development is monitored.

For Further Study

Books

Cohen, Libby G., and Loraine J. Spenciner. Assessment of Young Children. New York: Longman, 1994.

Culbertson, Jan L., and Diane J. Willis, eds. Testing Young Children: A Reference Guide for Developmental, Psychoeducational, and Psychosocial Assessments. Austin, TX: PRO-ED, Inc., 1993.

McCullough, Virginia. Testing and Your Child: What You Should Know About 150 of the Most Common Medical, Educational, and Psychological Tests. New York: Plume, 1992.