Metro Manila Development Screening Test (MMDST)

Definition
Simple and clinically useful tool
To determine early serious developmental delays
Dr. William K. Frankenburg
Modified and standardized by Dr. Phoebe D. Williams DDST to MMDST
Developed for health professionals (MDs, RNs, etc) It is not an intelligence test
It is a screening instrument to determine if childs development is within normal
Children 6 years and below
Purposes
Measures developmental delays
Evaluates 4 aspects of development
Aspects of development
In the care of pediatric clients, growth and development are not in isolation. Nurses being competent in the aspects of growth and
development particularly principles, theories and milestones are in best position to counsel clients on these aspects. Having background
knowledge on growth and development, nurses are equipped with assessment skills to determine developmental delays through the aid of
screening tests.
The Metro Manila Developmental Screening Test (MMDST) is a screening test to note for normalcy of the childs development and to
determine any delays as well in children 6 years old and below. Modified and standardized by Dr. Phoebe Williams from the original
Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) by Dr. William K. Frankenburg, MMDST evaluates 4 sectors of development:
Personal-Social tasks which indicate the childs ability to get along with people and to take care of himself
Fine-Motor Adaptive tasks which indicate the childs ability to see and use his hands to pick up objects and to draw
Language tasks which indicate the childs ability to hear, follow directions and to speak
Gross-Motor tasks which indicate the childs ability to sit, walk and jump
MMDST KIT. Preparation for test administration involves the nurse ensuring the completeness of the test materials contained in the
MMDST Kit. These materials should be followed as specified:
MMDST manual
test Form
bright red yarn pom-pom
rattle with narrow handle
eight 1-inch colored wooden blocks (red, yellow, blue green)
small clear glass/bottle with 5/8 inch opening
small bell with 2 inch-diameter mouth
rubber ball 12 inches in circumference
cheese curls
pencil
EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURE. Once the materials are ready, the nurse explains the procedure to the parent or caregiver of the
child. It has to be emphasized that this is not a diagnostic test but rather a screening test only. When conducting the test, the parents or
caregivers of the child under study should be informed that it is not an IQ test as it may be misinterpreted by them. The nurse should also
establish rapport with the parent and the child to ensure cooperation.
AGE & THE AGE LINE. To proceed in the administration of the test, the nurse is to compute for the exact age of the child, meaning the
age of the child during the test date itself. The age is the most crucial component of the test because it determines the test items that will
be applicable/ administered to the child. The exact age is computing by subtracting the childs birth date with the test date. After
computing, draw the age line in the test form.
TEST ITEMS. There are 105 test items in MMDST but not all are administered. The examiner prioritizes items that the age line passes
through. It is however imperative to explain to the parent or caregiver that the child is not expected to perform all the tasks correctly. If
the sequence were to be followed, the examiner should start with personal-social then progressing to the other sectors. Items that are
footnoted with R can be passed by report.
SCORING. The test items are scored as either Passed (P), Failed (F), Refused (R), or Nor Opportunity (NO). Failure of an item that is
completely to the left of the childs age is considered a developmental delay. Whereas, failure of an item that is completely to the right of
the childs age line is acceptable and not a delay.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Manner in which each test is administered must be exactly the same as stated in the manual, words or direction may not be changed
If the child is premature, subtract the number of weeks of prematurity. But if the child is more than 2 years of age during the test,
subtracting may not be necessary
If the child is shy or uncooperative, the caregiver may be asked to administer the test provided that the examiner instructs the caregiver to
administer it exactly as directed in the manual
If the child is very shy or uncooperative, the test may be deferred