Mullen Scales of Early Learning

Instrument Name: Mullen Scales of Early Learning

Abbreviation: MSEL

Points for Consideration:

Can be used across population. T score has a floor effect.

Description of Tool:

The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) is a ClinRO + PerfO developed to determine eligibility for early intervention and special education, to assess children with special needs, and to assist with individual program planning. It is composed of 159 items to be administered to children Birth-68 months [Cognitive Scales]; Birth-33 months [Gross Motor Scale].

Minimum Qualification Required by COA Administrator: MA or BA

Comment:

Infant MSEL published in 1989, the Preschool MSEL published in 1992, combined handbook (MSEL:AGS) published in 1995
The MSEL:AGS consists of the Gross Motor Scale and four Cognitive Scales: Visual Reception, Fine-Motor, Receptive Language, and Expressive Language. The scores of the four cognitive scales are combined to yield the Early Learning Composite.

Year: 1960

Objective of Development:

To determine eligibility for early intervention and special education, to assess children with special needs, and to assist with individual program planning

Population of Development: Age range (therapeutic indication):

Birth-68 months [Cognitive Scales]; Birth-33 months [Gross Motor Scale](All therapeutic indications)

Pediatric Population(s) in which COA has been used:

Cardiovascular Diseases; Mental Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Nervous System Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Protozoan Infections; Virus Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Wounds and Injuries; Neoplasms; Bacterial Infections; Male Urogenital Diseases; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; OtorhiNolaryngologic Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases

COA type:

Number of Items 159

Mode of Administration:

Data Collection Mode: Paper and pen

Time for Completion: Varies by age: 15 minutes (1 year); 25 to 35 minutes (3 years); 40 to 60 minutes (5 years)

Response Scales: Not reported

Summary of Scoring:

Available scores:
Global score: Early Learning Composite: Standard Score (M= 100, SD= 15), percentile ranks or descriptive category
Scores by domains: T Scores (M=50, SD= 10), percentile ranks or age equivalents

Weighting: No

Score Interpretation: Higher score = Higher level of motor and cognitive ability

Evidence of Literature Review: None identified

Evidence of Instrument Review: None identified

Evidence of Clinical or Expert Input: None identified

Evidence of concept elicitation in target patient population: None identified

Evidence of a Saturation Grid: None identified

Evidence for Selection of Data Collection Method: None identified

Recall/Observation Period: Present time

Evidence for Selection of Reponse Options: None identified

Evidence of cognitive interviewing of draft instrument in target patient population: None identified

Evidence of Preliminary Scoring of Items and Domains: None identified

Evidence related to respondent and administrator burden: None identified

Evidence of a Conceptual Framework: None identified

Evidence of an item-tracking matrix: None identified

Evidence related to item selection: None identified

Evidence of re-testing the final version: None identified

Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha): None identified

Evidence of internal consistency: None identified

Test-retest Reliability (ICC):

Not applicable

Inter-rater/ inter-interviewer reliability (kappa):

None identified

Evidence of test-retest or inter-rater reliability: None identified

Concurrent validity (convergent, divergent):

None identified

Known-group validity:

None identified

Evidence of Translatability Assessment: None identified

Evidence related to missing data: None identified

Evidence for Selection of Recall Period: None identified

Evidence of Administration Instructions and Training Provided: None identified

Evidence of concurrent validity: None identified

Evidence of known-groups validity: None identified

Evidence of ability to detect change over time: None identified

Ability to detect change (Responsiveness):

None identified

Responder Thresholds:

None identified

Evidence of responder thresholds: None identified

Mullen EM. Infant Mullen Scales of Early Learning. Cranston. 1989. RI: T.O.T.A.L. Child (Infant MSEL)

Mullen EM. Infant Mullen Scales of Early Learning. Cranston. 1992. RI: T.O.T.A.L. Child (Preschool MSEL)

Mullen EM. Mullen Scales of Early Learning (AGS ed.). Circle Pines. 1995. MN: American Guidance Service Inc (Website: https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Developmental-Early-Childhood/Mullen-Scales-of-Early-Learning/p/100000306.html?tab=product-details)

Akshoomoff N. Use of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning for the assessment of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Child Neuropsychol. 2006 Aug;12(4-5):269-77 Full text article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1550495/

Burns TG, King TZ, Spencer KS. Mullen scales of early learning: the utility in assessing children diagNosed with autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. Appl Neuropsychol Child. 2013;2(1):33-42 (Full text article:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235688471_Mullen_Scales_of_Early_Learning_The_Utility_in_Assessing_Children_DiagNosed_With_Autism_Spectrum_Disorders_Cerebral_Palsy_and_Epilepsy)

Dumont R. Cruse CL. Alfonso V. Levine C. Book Review: Mullen Scales of Early Learning: AGS Edition. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. 2000. 18:4. 381-389 (Abstract: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/073428290001800409)

Staples KL. MacDonald M. Zimmer C. Chapter Seven - Assessment of Motor Behavior Among Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Editor: Hodapp RM (Ed.). International Review of Research in Developmental Disabilities. Academic Press. Vol. 42. 2012. 179-214 Abstract:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123942845000073

Websites:
Pearson UK (https://www.pearsonclinical.co.uk/Psychology/ChildCognitionNeuropsychologyandLanguage/ChildGeneralAbilities/mullen/mullen-scales-of-early-learning.aspx)

Pearson USA (https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Developmental-Early-Childhood/Mullen-Scales-of-Early-Learning/p/100000306.html?tab=product-details)

None identified

Yes

Original: English for the USA

Translations:
Mandinka for Gambia
French for Benin
English for South Africa
Setswana for South Africa
Zulu for South Africa
Afrikaans for South Africa

Afrikaans, isiZulu, Setswana and South African English for South Africa

Bornman J, Romski M, Tonsing K, Sevcik R, White R, Barton-Hulsey A, Morwane R. Adapting and translating the Mullen Scales of Early Learning for the South African context. S Afr J Commun Disord. 2018 Mar 8;65(1):e1-e9 (Full text article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843936/)

French for Benin

Koura KG, Boivin MJ, Davidson LL, Ouédraogo S, ZoumeNou R, Alao MJ, Garcia A, Massougbodji A, Cot M, Bodeau-Livinec F. Usefulness of child development assessments for low-resource settings in francophone Africa. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2013 Sep;34(7):486-93 (Full text article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3821168/pdf/nihms-497754.pdf)

Mandinka for Gambia

Milosavljevic B, Vellekoop P, Maris H, Halliday D, Drammeh S, Sanyang L, Darboe MK, Elwell C, Moore SE, Lloyd-Fox S. Adaptation of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning for use among infants aged 5- to 24-months in rural Gambia. Dev Sci. 2019 Sep;22(5):e12808 (Full text article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6767903/pdf/DESC-22-na.pdf)

Author
Eileen M Mullen

Contact
Pearson Clinical Assessment Website (https://support.pearson.com/usclinical/s/contactsupport)

research.licensing@pearson.com

Copyright:
© 1995 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Pearson and Mullen are trademarks, in the U.S. and/or other countries, of Pearson plc

CoU:
Request form here: https://support.pearson.com/usclinical/s/contactsupport

for further questions, please contact Pearson Clinical Assessment

Pearson UK (https://www.pearsonclinical.co.uk/Psychology/ChildCognitionNeuropsychologyandLanguage/ChildGeneralAbilities/mullen/mullen-scales-of-early-learning.aspx)

Pearson USA (https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Developmental-Early-Childhood/Mullen-Scales-of-Early-Learning/p/100000306.html?tab=product-details)

Raw Score Subtotal Chart (https://www.pearsonassessments.com/content/dam/school/global/clinical/us/assets/mullen/mullen-hand-scoring.pdf)

Available to purchase the manual: https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Developmental-Early-Childhood/Mullen-Scales-of-Early-Learning/p/100000306.html?tab=product-details