Denver II Overview for Nursing Students

Summary

The Denver II test is a widely used developmental screening tool for children aged birth to 6 years. It assesses personal-social, fine motor, adaptive, language, and gross motor skills. The test is not predictive but identifies significant developmental deviations. Conducted with parental presence, it comprises 125 tasks relevant to the child's age. Scoring involves marking tasks as passed or failed, with caution for tasks failed by 75-90% of peers. Results may prompt further testing or consultations with healthcare providers.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The Denver test is used for screening developmental problems in children from birth to 6 years old.
• 🔍 It helps clinicians identify if a child's development significantly deviates from peers.
• 🚫 The Denver test is not a predictor of future development.
• 📝 The Denver 2 consists of 125 tasks covering four developmental areas: personal-social, fine motor, adaptive, language, and gross motor.
• 👶 Children are tested on tasks and items relevant to their specific age.
• 📐 The test is conducted in a standardized manner, usually with a parent or caregiver present.
• 📦 The Denver kit includes supplies needed for the test and a scoring sheet.
• 📝 The scoring sheet lists all 125 tasks and items, and the test areas are noted on the left side.
• 📊 The shading on the scoring sheet indicates the percentage of children who typically pass each task at that age.
• 👩‍⚕️ The test involves interactions like building a tower with blocks, feeding a doll, and identifying body parts.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Gross motor skills are assessed through activities like throwing and kicking a ball.
• 🗣️ Speech understanding is evaluated by asking the parent about the child's speech clarity.
• 📊 Scoring options include Pass (P), Fail (F), No Opportunity (NO), and Refusal (R).
• 📈 Results are interpreted by looking at failed and refused tasks, especially caution items and delayed items.

Q & A

What is the Denver test used for?

The Denver test is used for screening developmental problems in children from birth to 6 years of age.

What does the Denver test consist of?

The Denver test consists of 125 tasks or items covering four developmental areas: personal social, fine motor, adaptive, language, and gross motor.

How is the Denver test administered?

The test is conducted in a standardized manner, usually with a parent or caregiver present, and only tests tasks and items pertinent to the child's age.

What is the purpose of having a parent or caregiver present during the Denver test?

Having a parent or caregiver present can make the child more comfortable and may provide additional insights or information relevant to the child's abilities.

What supplies are included in the Denver test kit?

The Denver test kit includes all necessary supplies for the test along with a test scoring sheet.

How are the tasks or items selected for an individual child during the Denver test?

The tasks or items are selected based on the child's current age and months, using the age scales along the top and bottom of the test form.

What does the shading around a task or item box on the Denver test scoring sheet indicate?

The shading around a task or item box indicates the percentage of children of that age who passed the task or item.

What is the significance of a task or item being passed by 90% of children at that age in the Denver test?

If a child's age line passes the task box at the 90% mark, it indicates that 90% of children pass that task at that age in the standardized sample.

How is the Denver test scored?

The test is scored based on four different scoring options: pass (P), fail (F), no opportunity (NO), and refusal (R).

What does a failed or refused task or item that was passed by 75 to 90% of children at that age indicate?

It indicates a caution item, suggesting that there may be a developmental concern that requires further evaluation.

What is considered a delayed item on the Denver test?

A delayed item is one that falls completely to the left of the age line and is failed or refused, indicating it was passed by 90% or more of the children at the same age in the standardized sample.

What actions should be taken if concerning results are found on the Denver test?

Concerning results may require a repeat test and/or a follow-up with a child's pediatrician, nutritionist, or other healthcare provider.