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Childhood Disabilities: Early Identification and Intervention

 

The Greenspan Functional Developmental Scale

MOTOR SENSORY COGNITIVE LANGUAGE

(Material for this scale came from Chapter 9, pp 381-430 of Infancy and Early Childhood, by Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., International Universities Press, Madison, WI, 1997.

  • Name of Child:
  • Date(s) of observation:
  • Date of Rating:
  • Name of observer:
  • Date of Birth:
  • Place of observation(s):
  • Chronological Age:
  • Who Present at observation(s):

Directions: After you have observed and interacted with the child, use the following rating scale to rate the child in each capacity. Use the results of this assessment to assist you in creating goals which will assist the child to become more functional in age appropriate developmental capacities.

I: Self-regulation and Interest in the World (3 months)

  • Rating Scale:
  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By three months, the infant can be calm; recovers from crying with comforting; is able to be alert; looks at one when talked to and brightens up when provided with appropriate visual, auditory, and/or tactile experiences.

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Holds head upright on own
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Lifts head by leaning on elbows
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Hands open 75% of the time
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Rolls side to back/stomach to back
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Reaches for toy
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Manipulates toy

Sensory and Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Follows objects in horizontal plane
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Follows objects in vertical plane
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Responds to a variety of sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Tolerates deep pressure-type touch

Language and Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Vocalizes with at least one sound type

II. Forming Relationships, Attachment and Intimacy (5 months)

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By five months, infant evidences positive loving affect toward primary caregiver and other key caregivers; looks and/or smiles spontaneously and responds to their facial expressions, voices, or touch with signs of pleasure such as smiling, relaxing, "cooing."

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Pushes up on extended arms
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A shifts weight on hands and knees
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A readies body for lifting while being picked up
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A can reach for a toy
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A can roll from back to front
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A sits with support
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A can cooperate in being pulled to a sitting position
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A can bring hands together
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A can grasp objects voluntarily
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A can hold rattle

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A reacts to paper on face
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A looks toward sound
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A tolerates roughhouse type play

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Regularly localizes source of voice with accuracy
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A vocalizes two different sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A vocalizes to caregiver's facial expressions and sounds

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A can focus or attend for thirty or more seconds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A looks and scans fro objects and faces
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A smiles at face in mirror
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A looks toward object that goes out of visual range
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A looks at own hand
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A manipulates and plays with toys, such as a rattle or ring

III. Intentional Two Way Communication (Nine Months)

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By nine months the infant is able to interact in a purposeful (i.e., intentional, reciprocal, cause and effect) manner; is able to initiate signals and respond purposefully to another person's signals. Uses multiple sensory modalities, the motor system, and a range of emotions in these intentional interactions.

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can sit with good balance
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can hold toy while sitting
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A While sitting, can reach up in air for objects
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can go from lying on back to sitting
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can go from sitting to stomach position
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Creeps or craws on stomach or hands
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Holds block or toy using thumb and finger
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can scoop a cheerio or small object into palm
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Bangs hands or toy while playing
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Transfers objects from hand to hand.

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Will feel textures and explore them
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Notices when toy or object is put on different parts of body
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Not sensitive to loud noises like that of a vacuum cleaner, toilet flushing, or dog barking
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Not sensitive to bright lights
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Enjoys movement in air

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Responds to name and/or some simple requests (e.g., "No").
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Vocalizes different sounds from front of mouth (e.g., "Ba," Ma," or "Da")and can use sounds to
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Responds to different sounds with different vocalizations of own or with selective behaviors.
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can imitate a few sounds (e.g., "raspberry" or tongue click)

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can focus on toy or person for one or more minutes
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Explores and examines a new toy
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Makes sounds or creates visual or tactile sensations with a toy (e.g., cause-and-effect playing).
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can discriminate between different people as evidenced by different responses
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Looks for a toy that has fallen to floor
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can pull on a part of an object (e.g., a piece of cloth) to get the object closer

IV. Complex Sense of Self I: Behavioral Organization (13 months)

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By thirteen months, the infant begins to develop a complex sense of self by organizing behavior and emotion. The toddler sequences a number of gestures together and responds consistently to caregiver's gestures, thereby forming chains of interaction (i.e., opens and closes a number of sequential circles of communication). The toddler also manifests a wide range of organized, socially meaningful behaviors and feelings dealing with warmth, pleasure, assertion, exploration, protest, and anger.

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Walks on own or by holding onto furniture
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can squat while playing
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can throw a ball forward
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can feed self finger food
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can stack two blocks
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can organize one-step motor planning sequence such as pushing or catching or throwing a ball.

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A infant explores and tolerates different textures with hands and mouth (e.g. willing to explore different foods)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A infant is comfortable climbing and exploring off of the floor (e.g., on couch, table top)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Not sensitive to bright lights
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Not sensitive to loud noises (e.g., vacuum cleaner)

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Understands simple words like "shoe" or "kiss"
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Uses sounds or a few words for specific objects
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Jabbers.

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can focus and attend while playing on own for five or more minutes
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Copies simple gestures like "bye-bye" or "no"
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can find toy under caregiver's hand
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Will try to imitate a scribble
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Explores how toy works and figures out simple relationships like pulling a string to make a sound

V. Complex Sense of Self II: Behavioral Elaboration (18 months)

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By eighteen months the infant elaborates sequences of interaction which convey basic emotional themes.

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can plan motor pattern involving two or more steps (e.g., bounce a balloon and try to catch it.)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Will try to imitate scribble or scribble on own
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Holds crayon or pencil adaptively
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Will put items in cup or toys in a box
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Builds a tower of two or three blocks
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can put pegs in a pegboard
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can put round block in a round opening on a board
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can remove socks

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Enjoys or tolerates various types or touch (e.g., cuddling, roughhousing, different types of clothing, brushing teeth or hair).
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with loud sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with loud sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with movement in space.

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Comprehends some simple questions, carries out simple directions (e.g., with a ball)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A imitates simple words
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Uses words to make needs known

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Uses objects functionally  (e.g., vocalizes on the toy telephone, combs hair with toy comb)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Searches for desired toy or hidden object in more than one place
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can play on own in focused manner for fifteen or more minutes 
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Imitates behaviors just seen or seen a few minutes earlier
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Recognizes family pictures
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can use a stick or other object to get another object

VI. Emotional Ideas: I - Representational Capacity (24 months)

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By twenty-four months the child creates mental representations of feelings and ideas which can be expressed symbolically (e.g., pretend play and words).

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Catches large ball from few feet away using arms and hands
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Jumps with both feet off the ground
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Balances momentarily on one foot
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Walks up stairs two feet on each step at a time
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can both scribble and make a single stroke with a  crayon or pencil

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Enjoys or tolerates various types of touches(e.g., cuddling, roughhousing, different types of clothing, brushing teeth or hair)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with loud sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with bright lights
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with movement in space

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Understands simple questions: "Is Mommy home?"
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Uses simple two-word sentences ("More Milk" or Go Bye Bye."}
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can name some objects in a picture
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Begins to use some pronouns

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can attend or focus for thirty or more minutes
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can do pretend play on own
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can search for favorite toy where it was day before
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can do simple shape puzzles (two or three shapes)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can line up objects in design (e.g., a train of blocks}
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Points to parts of a doll
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Puts round and square blocks in correct place on a board

VII. Emotional Ideas: II-Representational Elaboration (30 months)

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By thirty months, the child, in both make-believe play and symbolic communication, can elaborate a number of ideas that go beyond basic needs (e.g., "want juice") and deal with more complex intentions, wishes or feelings (e.g., themes of closeness or dependency, separation, exploration, assertiveness, anger, self pride or showing off).

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Walks up and down stairs
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Throws ball
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Stands on one foot
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can walk on tip toes
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Draws a line with crayon or pencil
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can turn a knob
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can remove a cap
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can fold paper
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can make a tower of eight or more blocks

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Enjoys or tolerates various types of touch (e.g., cuddling, roughhousing, different types of clothing, brushing teeth or hair)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with loud sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with bright lights
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with movement in space

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Understands sentences with two or more ideas (e.g., "You can have a cookie when you get home.")
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Understands directions with two or more ideas
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Organizes sentences with two or more ideas (e.g., "want apple and banana?"
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Refers to self using a pronoun

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can point to some pictures from a verbal description
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can name object in a picture
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can make a train of blocks after seeing it in a picture
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can repeat two or more numbers

VIII. Emotional Thinking (36 months)

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By thirty six months, ideas dealing with complex intentions, wishes, and feelings in pretend play or other types of symbolic communication logically tied to one another. The child knows what is real from unreal and switches back and forth between fantasy and reality with little difficulty.

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Walks upstairs alternating feet
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Catches big ball
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Kicks big ball
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Jumps forward
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Hops
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Copies Circle
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Cuts paper
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can unbutton buttons

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Enjoys or tolerates various types of touch (e.g., cuddling, roughhousing, different types of clothing, brushing teeth or hair)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with loud sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with bright lights
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with movement in space

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Understands and constructs logical bridges between ideas with full sentences
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Uses "but" and "because"
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Answers "what," "who," "where," and "doing" type questions
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Comprehends actions/verbs
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Uses plurals
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Uses two prepositions

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Pretend play has logical structure to it (i.e., pretend ideas are connected)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Spatial designs are complex and interrelated (i.e., a house made of blocks has connected rooms).
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Identifies "big" and "little" as part of developing a quantitative perspective
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can identify objects by their function as part of developing abstract groupings

IX. 42 - 48 Months

Rating Scale:

  • 0 = capacity not present
  • 1 = capacity fleetingly present
  • 2 = capacity intermittently present
  • 3 = capacity present most of the time
  • 4 = capacity present all of the time in all circumstances
  • N/A = Not Applicable, because there was no opportunity to observe the presence or absence of this capacity

By forty-two to forty-eight months, the child is capable of elaborating complex pretend play and symbolic communication dealing with complex intentions, wishes or feelings. The play or direct communication is characterized by three or more ideas that are logically connected and informed by concepts involving causality, time, and space.

Motor:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Skips
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Hops
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Rides tricycle
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Catches ball
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Bounces ball
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Shows hand preference
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Copies cross
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Strings beads
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Cuts across a line

Sensory:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Enjoys or tolerates various types of touch (e.g., cuddling, roughhousing, different types of clothing, brushing teeth or hair).
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with loud sounds
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with bright lights
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Is comfortable with movement in space

Language:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Comprehends complex "why" questions such as "Why do we need a house?"
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can express ideas reflecting an understanding of relative degrees of feelings of wish or intention, "I am only a little mad."
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can repeat five to ten word sentence
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can repeat four to seven numbers

Cognitive:

  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can point to pictures that show an object with attributes that are first described verbally (e.g., What do you eat with?" "What makes food hot?")
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can deal with concepts of quantity (e.g., which is biggest, which box has more marbles in it.")
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can identify similarities and differences with shapes and verbal concepts (e.g., triangle and rectangle or people and animals)
  • 0 1 2 3 4 N/A Can recall and comprehend experiences from recent past.
 

 

 

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