# Validity of Parent Report

I have heard that research shows that parents are good reporters of their child’s development. Can you share more information about this research?

Mark E. Ting  
Jan 02, 2020  
4495 views

Research has indeed shown that parents—regardless of socioeconomic status, location, or well-being—give accurate information about their child’s development (Rydz et al., 2005; Squires et al., 1998). Parent report is most accurate if questions are straight-forward and ask about their child’s current, observable behaviors. While there are some parents, such as those with substance abuse issues or severe mental health problems, that may not provide accurate information, most parents can accurately answer simple questions about their child’s current repertoire of behaviors.

Because parents (and other primary caregivers) have expert knowledge about their child’s abilities and skills, parental involvement in developmental screening is important. Several research studies have shown that parents’ observations and report of their children’s development are predictive of developmental delays. Studies published in Topics in Early Childhood Special Education have shown that parents as observers are effective identifiers of children with delays (Diamond, 1993) and that use of parent-completed questionnaires was an accurate way to monitor children’s development (Bricker & Squires, 1989). Furthermore, studies by Frances Glascoe and colleagues (Glascoe, 1997; Glascoe & Dworkin, 1995) showed that parental concerns about language, fine motor, cognitive, and emotional-behavioral development are highly predictive of actual problems. These studies establish parent-report tools, like ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2, as an accurate method of developmental screening. In addition, parent-completed tools are time- and cost-efficient, and they help educate parents about typical child development.

For more detailed information about parent reporting of children’s developmental skills, the following articles are helpful:

- Bricker, D., & Squires, J. (1989). The effectiveness of parental screening of at-risk infants: The infant monitoring questionnaires. _Topics in Early Childhood Special Education_, 9(3), 67–85.
- Diamond, K. (1993). The role of parents' observations and concerns in screening for developmental delays in young children. _Topics in Early Childhood Special Education_, 13(1), 68-81.
- Diamond, K., & Squires, J. (1993). The role of parental report in the screening and assessment of young children. _Journal of Early Intervention_, 17(2), 107-115.
- Rydz, D., Shevell, M.I., Majnemer, A., & Oskoui, M. (2005). Developmental screening. _Journal of Child Neurology_, 20(1), 4–21.
- Glascoe, F.P., & Dworkin, P. (1995). The role of parents in the detection of developmental and behavioral problems. _Pediatrics_, 95(6), 829–836.
- Glascoe, F.P. (1997). Parents’ concerns about children’s development: Prescreening technique or screening test? _Pediatrics_, 99, 522–528.
- Glascoe, F.P. (1999). The value of parent's concerns to detect and address developmental and behavioural problems. _Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health_, 35(1), 1–8.
- Squires, J. (2000). Early detection of development delays: Parents as first level screeners. _Journal of Intellectual Disability Research_, 44(3 & 4), 471.
- Squires, J., Potter, L., Bricker, D., & Lamorey, S. (1998). Parent-completed developmental questionnaires: Effectiveness with low and middle income parents. _Early Childhood Research Quarterly_, 13(2), 345-354.
- Tervo, R. (2005). Parent's reports predict their child's developmental problems. _Clinical Pediatrics_, 44, 601-611.