Adaptive assessment of young children with visual impairment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of adaptations for children with low vision of the Bayley Scales, a standardized developmental instrument widely used to assess development in young children. Low vision adaptations were made to the procedures, item instructions and play material of the Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development — Second Edition (BSID-II), and the Original and Low Vision versions were administered to children with visual impairment over an interval of two weeks. Although quantitative analysis revealed no significant differences between the Original and Low Vision versions of the test in children’s scores, feedback from test administrators indicates that the Low Vision materials make the test easier to administer and more engaging for children.