Young children with developmental delays as young adults: predicting developmental and personal-social outcomes.

We report on a 20-year follow-up of 30 children with developmental delays identified at age 3. Our purpose was to assess the relationship of early indicators of delay to cognitive and personal-social status in young adulthood. Predictors were Developmental and Personal-Social factors derived from standardized tests and parent questionnaires administered when the children were 3 and 6 to 7. Outcome measures in young adulthood included standardized and project-developed questionnaires and interviews with young adults and parents. Findings indicate that prediction varies relative to the outcome assessed. Developmental status at 6 to 7 was a strong predictor of developmental status in young adulthood. However, personal-social outcomes were generally not predicted by Personal-Social factors in the early years.