Location

Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay

Event Type

Poster

Start Date

12-7-2025 8:00 AM

End Date

12-7-2025 12:00 PM

Description

Purpose

Our research examines the psychometric properties of the Infant Motor and Engagement Scale, which was designed to identify early indicators of autism spectrum disorder. Two ongoing longitudinal studies are being conducted in two settings: one at Nova Southeastern University's Davie Pediatrics Clinic and the other in the community. The prospective study at the University of Davie Pediatric Clinic examines whether infant behaviors measured by the IMES can distinguish between infants later diagnosed with ASD and those who are typically developing. Furthermore, the community-based research assesses the psychometric properties of the IMES. It examines the relationship between early infant behaviors and autism screening tools used in toddlerhood. This study evaluates the discriminative validity and other psychometric properties of the IMES, with the goal of refining and simplifying the scale to make it more clinically feasible for identifying infants at risk for ASD.

Methods

For these prospective research studies, we administered the Infant Motor and Engagement Scale (IMES) to five infants between the ages of 6-9 months via a recorded Zoom session. These sessions took place in their home environment, with a parent or caregiver present. Parents or caregivers were instructed to set up the child according to the IMES guidelines, enabling researchers to observe the infant's motor and engagement. The studies received approval from the Nova Southeastern University Institutional Review Board (IRB), and informed parental consent was obtained from all participants.

Results

Given the small sample size and the longitudinal nature of the study, which follows infants from 6 to 9 months into preschool age, analyses at this stage were limited to calculating the percent agreement across the 36 items on the IMES for each infant (n = 5). The average percent agreement among the 36 items on the IMES was 84 percent, suggesting an acceptable level of interrater agreement. For the same raters, the average percentage agreement on the autism screener was 93 percent. This information is helpful for training purposes with students.

Discussion

The Infant Motor and Engagement Scale show potential as a reliable screening instrument, although further research is still needed. Our work has contributed to the design and implementation of ongoing longitudinal studies aimed at examining the psychometric properties of this tool in infancy.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorder, Infant Motor Engagement Scale, infant, and early intervention

Comments

Nova Southeastern University's Health Professionals Division (HPD) Educational Research Grant has provided support for the NSU Davie Pediatrics Clinic Study.

We extend our gratitude to the families who participated in this research and to the former students who contributed to the implementation of this study.

We sincerely thank Dr. Flanagan for their outstanding guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this process. Her talent for presenting research has shaped our appreciation for scholarly research and motivated us to keep exploring it.

Thank you, Dr. Fernandez, for the opportunity to conduct our study at
the Davie Clinic and for recognizing the value of integrating occupational
therapy expertise in early infant development.

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Dec 7th, 8:00 AM Dec 7th, 12:00 PM

Examining the Infant Motor and Engagement Scale in Infants

Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay

Purpose

Our research examines the psychometric properties of the Infant Motor and Engagement Scale, which was designed to identify early indicators of autism spectrum disorder. Two ongoing longitudinal studies are being conducted in two settings: one at Nova Southeastern University's Davie Pediatrics Clinic and the other in the community. The prospective study at the University of Davie Pediatric Clinic examines whether infant behaviors measured by the IMES can distinguish between infants later diagnosed with ASD and those who are typically developing. Furthermore, the community-based research assesses the psychometric properties of the IMES. It examines the relationship between early infant behaviors and autism screening tools used in toddlerhood. This study evaluates the discriminative validity and other psychometric properties of the IMES, with the goal of refining and simplifying the scale to make it more clinically feasible for identifying infants at risk for ASD.

Methods

For these prospective research studies, we administered the Infant Motor and Engagement Scale (IMES) to five infants between the ages of 6-9 months via a recorded Zoom session. These sessions took place in their home environment, with a parent or caregiver present. Parents or caregivers were instructed to set up the child according to the IMES guidelines, enabling researchers to observe the infant's motor and engagement. The studies received approval from the Nova Southeastern University Institutional Review Board (IRB), and informed parental consent was obtained from all participants.

Results

Given the small sample size and the longitudinal nature of the study, which follows infants from 6 to 9 months into preschool age, analyses at this stage were limited to calculating the percent agreement across the 36 items on the IMES for each infant (n = 5). The average percent agreement among the 36 items on the IMES was 84 percent, suggesting an acceptable level of interrater agreement. For the same raters, the average percentage agreement on the autism screener was 93 percent. This information is helpful for training purposes with students.

Discussion

The Infant Motor and Engagement Scale show potential as a reliable screening instrument, although further research is still needed. Our work has contributed to the design and implementation of ongoing longitudinal studies aimed at examining the psychometric properties of this tool in infancy.