A 15-month-old child cannot walk independently, has no single meaningful words, does not point to objects, and does not wave bye-bye. These developmental domains — motor, language, and social-communication — are all delayed. Which developmental assessment tool is widely used in India to screen for developmental delays in children aged 0-6 years?
- A Trivandrum Developmental Screening Chart (TDSC) ✓
- B Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II)
- C Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development
- D Gesell Developmental Schedules
Explanation
The Trivandrum Developmental Screening Chart (TDSC) was developed and validated for Indian children and is the recommended developmental screening tool in India under the National Program for Prevention and Management of Developmental Delay, Disability, and Mental Health (NPPMDDMH). It covers ages 0-6 years and uses 17 items derived from Gesell's developmental landmarks. DDST-II is widely used internationally but is standardized on Western populations. Bayley Scales and Gesell schedules are diagnostic/assessment tools (not screening), requiring trained professionals and more time. For a 15-month-old with delays in all domains, global developmental delay should be considered and investigated.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
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