The Developmental Status and Adaptive Behavior of Homeless and Low-Income Housed Infants and Toddlers

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the development status of 127 homeless and 91 low-income housed infants and toddlers. METHODS: The Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Vineland Screener were used to gather data. RESULTS: There were no differences between homeless and low-income housed children. However, younger children in both groups performed better than the older children on most summary scores. CONCLUSIONS: Homeless and low-income housed children did not differ in their cognitive and motor skills. However, older children scored lower than younger children on most measures of development status, suggesting that the cumulative effects of poverty may increase with time. (Authors)

Publication Date: 
1998
Pages: 
1371-1374
Volume: 
88
Issue: 
9
Journal Name: 
American Journal of Public Health