Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd ed.
Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd ed. (PDMS-2)
The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd edition (PDMS-2) is a standardised, clinician-administered assessment of motor development for children from birth to about 5 years. It assesses two broad areas — gross motor (sitting, walking, balance, ball skills) and fine motor (grasping and visual-motor integration) — across six subtests. It gives a structured profile of a child's motor strengths and progress over time, and is used to understand where a child is starting from and to measure change after therapy, but it is not a diagnosis on its own.
A widely used, play-based way to map a young child's motor strengths — from grasping a toy to running across a room — and turn that picture into support.
In short
The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd edition (PDMS-2) is a standardised, clinician-administered assessment of early motor development for children from birth to about 5 years (roughly 0–71 months). It looks at how a child moves and uses their body across two broad areas — gross motor (large movements like sitting, walking, jumping and balance) and fine motor (small precise movements like grasping, stacking and using the hands and fingers). It gives a clear, structured profile of a child's motor strengths and the areas that may benefit from support — it is not a diagnosis on its own.What the PDMS-2 assesses
The PDMS-2 is made up of six subtests grouped under those two areas. On the gross-motor side it observes reflexes (in the youngest infants), stationary control (balance and holding a posture), locomotion (rolling, crawling, walking, running, hopping) and object manipulation (catching, throwing and kicking a ball, usually from around 12 months). On the fine-motor side it looks at grasping (how the hand holds objects) and visual-motor integration (using the eyes and hands together to reach, build, draw and manipulate small items).A trained professional guides the child through age-appropriate, mostly playful activities and records what the child can do. The results combine into composite scores — including a gross-motor and fine-motor profile and an overall picture — that help a therapist compare a child's motor development with typical expectations for their age and, importantly, track progress over time. Because it is detailed and standardised, it is often used both to understand where a child is starting from and to measure how far they have come after a period of therapy.
When this kind of assessment helps
A motor assessment like the PDMS-2 is helpful when a parent or professional notices a child reaching motor milestones more slowly than peers — late sitting, walking or difficulty with hand skills like holding a spoon or crayon — or when a paediatrician recommends a closer look. It is one tool among several; a skilled clinician chooses and interprets it as part of a fuller understanding of the whole child.The Pinnacle way
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, never from an app or form. Our therapists may draw on validated tools such as the PDMS-2 alongside careful observation, then build an individualised plan that can include occupational therapy to strengthen fine and gross-motor skills through play.Trusted sources
The American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren on motor milestones and developmental monitoring; CDC developmental milestone guidance; WHO resources on early childhood motor development.Next step — If you have questions about how your child is moving, grasping or balancing, book a developmental review so a qualified clinician can choose the right assessment and map your child's motor strengths.
What to watch
Reaching motor milestones more slowly than peers — late sitting, crawling or walking, poor balance, or difficulty with hand skills like holding a spoon, stacking or using a crayon.
Try this at home
Build motor skills through everyday play — let your child climb cushions, throw and catch a soft ball, thread large beads, and scribble with chunky crayons; small joyful repetitions strengthen both big movements and little hand skills.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
What age range is the PDMS-2 used for?
The PDMS-2 is designed for children from birth to about 5 years of age (roughly 0 to 71 months), making it useful across infancy and the early preschool years.
What two main areas does the PDMS-2 assess?
It assesses gross-motor skills (large movements such as balance, walking, running and ball skills) and fine-motor skills (precise hand use such as grasping and visual-motor integration), across six subtests in total.
Is the PDMS-2 a diagnosis of a motor disorder?
No. The PDMS-2 gives a structured profile of a child's motor strengths and areas for support, and helps track progress, but a diagnosis is made only by a qualified clinician using a fuller assessment of the whole child.
Can the PDMS-2 measure progress after therapy?
Yes. Because it is standardised and detailed, therapists often use it both to understand where a child is starting from and to measure how their motor skills change over a period of therapy.