Concurrent Validity and Reliability of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale in Infants at Dual Risk for Motor Delays

Concurrent validity of scores for the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the Peabody Developmental Gross Motor Scale-2 (PDGMS-2) was examined with a sample of 35 infants at dual risk for motor delays or disabilities. Dual risk was defined as low birthweight (<or= 1,500 g at birth) and environmental risk (children from low-income families). Measures were administered to participants during one visit to a high-risk, follow-up program. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were high (r= .90 to .97), with the highest correlation between PDGMS-2 locomotion subscale and AIMS total score. Correlation coefficients were lower for infants > 9 months of age. Novice examiners' scores on both measures closely approximated those of experienced examiners (ICC range = .98 to .99). The results support concurrent validity of the AIMS and PDGMS-2 for infants at dual risk and have implications for using the AIMS in high-risk follow-up programs, particularly in relation to evaluating functional components of motor performance and ease of administration.