Child development: what do parents expect?

Expectations of future development were assessed in parents of non-disabled children (n = 240) using the Predictive Adaptive Ability Questionnaire (PAAQ). The reliability estimate for the overall PAAQ was 0.90, with a test-retest reliability of 0.99 and an interrater reliability of 0.83. Parental expectations did not significantly differ from normal adaptive ability developmental standards. Longitudinal examination of parental expectations and their influence on child development and the impact of chronic illness on such expectations is recommended.