Normal motor development of Indian children on Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2).

PURPOSE:

To compare normal motor development scores of children in Mangalore, India, on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2) with the normative scores provided with the instrument.

METHODS:

The PDMS-2 were administered to 300 children from Mangalore, India, between birth and 60 months of age. Participants' scores were compared with those of the normative sample given in the PDMS-2 manual.

RESULTS:

The Indian children's scores varied with some differing from the normative sample (p < 0.0001) whereas others did not differ across age groups and the different subtests of the PDMS-2.

CONCLUSIONS:

It is not possible to develop assessment tools that are culturally sensitive across different geographical regions and environments, but it is necessary to evaluate the cultural sensitivity of such tests for use in a particular region and ethnic group, especially when these assessment tools are being used to diagnose and plan treatment for a child.