Original Research

Seguin Form Board as an intelligence tool for young children in an Indian urban slum

Abstract

Objective The present study evaluates the concurrent and predictive validity of the Seguin Form Board Test (SFBT) as an intelligence tool for children in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods In a cohort of normal children, followed up in South India, two cross-sectional analyses were done at 3 and 7 years of age on 95 children. The SFBT and Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) were done at 3 years of age and Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC) and the VSMS were done at 7 years of age, and the results were compared for concurrent and predictive validity for the SFBT.

Results Intelligence quotient and social quotient had positive correlations at 3 years of age, indicating fair concurrent validity. The SFBT done at around 3 years of age had good positive correlation with MISIC at 7 years of age, indicating good predictive validity.

Conclusion This study shows the utility of the SFBT as a community-based intelligence tool with acceptable concurrent and predictive validity.