YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
Permanence AbilityScore® 900–1000: Your Next Steps
A Permanence AbilityScore® in the 900–1000 band is a strong result, suggesting well-developed object and person permanence. Next steps focus on enrichment rather than remediation: keep nurturing the skill through play, watch how it generalises into memory and problem-solving, and review the whole developmental profile over time. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 4 sections
A 900–1000 Permanence band is a strong, reassuring signal — your child's understanding that things and people still exist when out of sight is blossoming beautifully.
In short
A Permanence AbilityScore® in the 900–1000 band is a strong result — it suggests your child is showing well-developed object and person permanence, a key cognitive milestone where a child knows that something (or someone) continues to exist even when they can't see it. The next steps here are about enrichment, not remediation: keep nurturing this skill through play, watch how it generalises into related areas like memory and problem-solving, and use this strength as a springboard. A high band is something to build on with confidence.
What this means and what to do next
- Celebrate and build on it. Permanence underpins memory, attachment security, sequencing and early problem-solving. A strong score means these foundations are well laid — so the focus is gentle stretching, not catching up.
- Keep playing the games that grew it. Peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, hiding a toy under a cloth and asking "where did it go?", and "object hunts" all keep this skill rich and flexible. As your child grows, layer in two-step hiding (moving the toy while they watch, then while they don't).
- Watch how it generalises. A strong Permanence band is most meaningful when it shows up in everyday life — your child looks for a dropped toy, waves bye-bye knowing you'll return, or remembers where favourite things are kept.
- Look at the whole picture. One strong cognitive band is wonderful, but development is a tapestry. Your clinician will read Permanence alongside communication, motor, social and play skills to see the full, balanced profile.
- Re-measure over time. Abilities grow and shift — periodic review lets you see your child's trajectory and keep enrichment well-matched to where they are now.
The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or a single number read in isolation. Your clinician will explain exactly what the AbilityScore® is and how it is read, place this Permanence band within your child's whole developmental profile, and suggest playful, cognitive and developmental enrichment matched to their strengths. You can always explore more about how we support every child's growth.
Trusted sources
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) guidance on cognitive milestones and learning through play; CDC developmental milestone resources on how infants and toddlers learn about objects and people; WHO Nurturing Care Framework on responsive, play-rich early development.
Next step — Want to understand your child's full developmental picture and how to build on this strength? Book an AbilityScore® review with a Pinnacle clinician.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch how strong permanence shows up in daily life — looking for dropped or hidden toys, waving bye-bye knowing you'll return, remembering where favourite things are kept, and how it supports memory and early problem-solving. Note any areas like communication or motor skills that feel less in step.
In everyday life
Play layered hide-and-seek: hide a favourite toy under a cloth while your child watches, then sometimes move it once they look away — this gently stretches their understanding that things exist and can move even when unseen.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
Is a Permanence AbilityScore® of 900–1000 a good result?
Yes — a 900–1000 band is a strong, reassuring result. It suggests your child has well-developed object and person permanence, meaning they understand that things and people still exist even when out of sight. The next steps are about enrichment and building on this strength, not remediation.
Do I need therapy if my child scores in this high band?
Not necessarily. A high Permanence band points to enrichment rather than catch-up support. Your Pinnacle clinician reads this score alongside communication, motor, social and play skills to see the whole picture, and will recommend whatever is genuinely matched to your child's needs.
How can I keep building my child's permanence skills at home?
Keep playing the games that grew it — peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, and hiding toys under a cloth. As your child grows, layer in two-step hiding where the toy moves while they watch, then while they don't, to gently stretch their thinking.
Should I have the AbilityScore® re-measured?
Yes — periodic review is valuable because abilities grow and shift over time. Re-measuring lets you and your clinician see your child's trajectory and keep enrichment well-matched to where they are now.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — cognitive milestones and learning through play
- Source referenceCDC — developmental milestones for infants and toddlers
- Organisation website · further readingWHO Nurturing Care Framework — responsive early development
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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FROM UNDERSTANDING TO PURPOSEFUL SUPPORT
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Your child’s self-sufficient, mainstream-included life is the purpose from the beginning. At Pinnacle, that purpose shapes what we understand, the goals we choose, the people we bring together, everyday practice and review.
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How PinnacleAI® connects the journeyExplore the seven stages
- 1Understand abilities
A starting picture of your child’s capabilities.
- 2Choose meaningful goals
Readiness and a plan shaped around the child.
- 3Bring the right support together
Suitable therapies and people for those goals.
- 4Carry practice into everyday life
Guidance for family, home and school.
- 5Track and correct
Use observations to adjust the plan.
- 6Reassess and review
Decide what to continue, change or do next.
- 7Grow independence and participation
The child’s life gives each step its purpose.
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