Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory
What is the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)?
The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) is a structured assessment of a child's everyday functional skills — self-care, mobility and social function — and how much caregiver help they need. It is not a diagnosis but a way to understand a child's daily abilities, set meaningful goals and track progress, and is commonly used with children who have developmental delays or disabilities.
A gentle, structured way to map what a child can actually do each day — from feeding themselves to joining in — and how much help they still need.
In short
The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) is a well-established assessment that measures a child's everyday functional abilities — the practical skills of daily life — rather than simply diagnosing a condition. It looks at what a child can do across three areas: self-care, mobility and social function, and also notes how much help a caregiver currently provides. It is widely used with children who have developmental delays or disabilities to understand their starting point, plan support and track progress over time.What the PEDI assesses
The PEDI focuses on real, everyday function — the skills that help a child take part in family and community life. It is usually organised around three domains:- Self-care — eating, dressing, brushing teeth, toileting, washing and other personal routines.
- Mobility — moving around the home and community, transfers (such as getting in and out of a chair or bath), and getting up and down stairs.
- Social function — communication, play, interaction, problem-solving and joining in with others.
Alongside what a child can do, the PEDI captures the level of caregiver assistance and any modifications or equipment a child uses. This twin view — capability plus support needed — is what makes it so useful: two children with the same diagnosis can have very different daily lives, and the PEDI brings that into focus. It is typically completed with a clinician through structured interview and observation, and is designed for children across a broad range of abilities, including those with cerebral palsy, developmental delay and other conditions affecting daily function.
How it is used
Because it measures function rather than labelling, the PEDI is valuable for setting meaningful, child-centred goals, choosing the right supports, and showing change over time — for example, before and after a period of occupational therapy. It complements, rather than replaces, a full clinical assessment.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 use validated tools like the PEDI alongside their own observations to understand your child's everyday strengths and build a practical, individualised plan.Trusted sources
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the World Health Organization frameworks on functioning and participation describe why everyday-function measures matter; the Rehabilitation Council of India sets standards for assessment practice in India.Next step — If you would like to understand your child's everyday abilities and the support that would help most, book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle Blooms Network clinician.
What to watch
Whether your child manages everyday tasks — feeding, dressing, toileting, moving around, joining in play and communicating — with the level of help you would expect for their age, and whether they need more support than peers.
Try this at home
Notice daily routines as a window into function — let your child try dressing, eating or tidying up themselves, and gently note where they manage independently and where they still need a helping hand.
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
Is the PEDI a diagnosis?
No. The PEDI measures what a child can do in everyday life and how much help they need — it does not diagnose a condition. A diagnosis is formed only by a qualified clinician using a full assessment.
What does the PEDI assess?
It assesses everyday function across three areas — self-care, mobility and social function — and also records the level of caregiver assistance and any equipment or modifications a child uses.
Which children is the PEDI used with?
It is used with children across a broad range of abilities, including those with developmental delay, cerebral palsy and other conditions that affect daily function, to plan support and track progress.