Perera, K.M.N.Wijerathne, L.Jayasinghe, C.Kasturiratne, A.Hettiarachchi, S.Fonseka, R.Jayasena, B.N.Siriwardhena, D.Godamunne, P.Dahanayake, W.Pathmeswaran, A.Wickremasinghe, A.R.2015-09-212015-09-212014The Ceylon Medical Journal. 2014; 59(Supplement 1):610009-0875 (Print)http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9707Poster Presentation Abstract (PP31), 127th Annual Scientific Sessions, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2014 Colombo, Sri LankaINTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a tool that can be used by pre-school teachers to identify disabilities in the pre-school age group. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was formed and the initial tool was developed^ Consensual validity was achieved by using nominal group technique and the tool was pre-tested in the Ragama MOH area. To assure criterion validity, the tool was used to screen all the children in the pre-school age group (2-5 years) in an MOH area randomly selected from the Anuradhapura District. The screened positives .were referred to an expert panel for confirmation of diagnosis and follow-up if required. RESULTS: Thousand nine hundred children were invited for screening and 1536 participated (478 2-3 years, 495 3-years, 560 > 4 years of age) and 267 (17.4%) were referred to the expert panel. Out of the referrals, majority (38.9%) had multiple disabilities. Hearing and speech difficulties were seen in (29.6%). Psycho social problems (11.6%), disabilities and other diseases (19.8%) accounted for the rest. The response rate for confirmation by experts was 64%. The predictive value of a positive test was 79.5%. The prevalence of disabilities among the screened pre-school age group was 88 per 1000 (95% Cl= 74 to 103). CONCLUSIONS: This tool can be used to screen children in the pre-school age for disabilities.en-USDisability EvaluationChild, PreschoolConference Abstract