Screening for Developmental Risks at 4 Years of Age:: Predicting development two years later

The present study explored the continuity of normal development between the ages of 4 and 6 and also examined the permanence of any developmental problems. A comprehensive neurodevelopmental screening test (the Lene test) was administered to a sample of 434 children at the age of 4 and again at the age of 6 (n=394). The results suggest significant continuity in development from age 4 to age 6. Normal development is most likely to continue along a predetermined developmental path. The co-occurrence and severity of developmental problems increases the probability that they will persevere. No single developmental factor at age 4 could reliably predict developmental status at age 6. However, overall development at age 4 reliably predicted 78% of the variance of developmental outcome at age 6. For the most part, the results indicated that it is possible to recognise developmental problems at age 4, one year earlier than the current age for screening in the Finnish health care system.