European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF “TRACT AND ACT”, A NOVEL ONLINE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING TOOL

Angela David, Deepa Murnal, Preetha Sunil, Nandini Mundkur, Anusha Jayaraman*

ABSTRACT

Track and Act is an online developmental screening tool, developed at our center, and accessible to any person with a basic knowledge of using computers/ smartphone. In this study, we evaluated the ability of a novel web-based developmental screening tool to detect developmental delays in young children. For this study, 125 children (4–30 months old) visiting our center, presenting with developmental concerns and born at term gestation with no antenatal or post-natal complications were included. Children born at pre-term gestation or with physical deformities/syndromes were excluded in this study. The online screening tool was used for assessing the 4 domains of development – language and communication, movement and physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional, through a series of “Yes/No” questions. Children enrolled in the study then underwent a formal developmental assessment using the Developmental Assessment Scales for Indian Infants (DASII). Track and Act showed good acceptable sensitivity and specificity for a screening tool in the different developmental domains. The Positive Predictive Values were high indicating that significant development delay was not missed. The tool had good accuracy in identifying high-risk children especially in the domains of language and socio-emotional development when compared with DASII. Based on our results, Tract and Act is a useful, sensitive, easy-to-use screening tool not only for tracking developmental milestones but also for identifying developmental delays such as autism spectrum disorders, and could be beneficial to parents and pediatricians.

Keywords: Child development, Developmental disorders, Diagnosis, Online systems, Autism spectrum disorders.