Exploring domain-specific associations of development between direct assessment and parent report in young children with Down syndrome: A short report

Background: Information about individual’s abilities in specific developmental domains captures the variability characteristic of Down syndrome (DS). Two commonly used measures which assess domain-specific skills of development are the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-3rd Edition (VABS). In DS, previous work found a positive association and moderate agreement between overall composite scores of these two measures. No study has explored domain-level agreement between the MSEL and VABS in children with DS.Aims: This exploratory study examined the concurrent validity between two sources of information measuring child development at the domain-level, parent report (VABS) and direct assessment (MSEL). Methods and Procedures: Twenty-three young children with DS (14 males; 13-48 months) completed the MSEL, which was administered by a trained examiner. Parents completed the VABS phone interview. Overlapping domains include receptive and expressive language and fine and gross motor skills. Outcomes and Results: Findings revealed no significant difference in the average age equivalent (AE) score when comparing the MSEL and VABS by domain. There were strong to very strong positive associations between MSEL and VABS AE scores by domain. The level of agreement between the MSEL and VABS AE scores by domain ranged from moderate (fine/gross motor), to good (receptive language), to excellent (expressive language) agreement.Conclusions and Implications: Parent reported information from the VABS provides a portrait of age-level functioning comparable to an in-person behavioral assessment (MSEL) with individual variability by domain. This study provides guidance to clinicians and researchers about the selection of tools when using assessments for developmental monitoring of skills across domains.