Development of Spark Developmental Screening Mobile Application in Malaysia

Bibliographic Data

ID23039393
AuthorsPui Ying Wong (0000-0002-0718-6544, Sunway University), Gek Ling Tan (Child Development Center), Teck-Hock Toh, Teck‐Hock Toh (0000-0001-5909-4855, Sibu Hospital), Huong Yong Ting, Huong-Yong Ting (0000-0001-7950-2676, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak), Michael Lian Gau (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak), Pei Jun Woo (0000-0002-8999-2979, Sunway University), Su Woan Wo (0000-0001-7118-161X, Sunway University, corresponding author)
EditorsPinaki Chakraborty (0000-0002-2010-8022)
Year2025
Volume2025
Issue1
Publication date2025-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Behavior and Emerging Technologies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2578-1863 • E-ISSN: 2578-1863
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1155/hbe2/8849290
OpenAlexW4417157167
LanguageEN
References cited64

To improve the effectiveness and accessibility of early developmental screening in Malaysia, this study developed a mobile application for Malaysian parents to conduct developmental screening on infants and toddlers (0–23 months old) at home. During Stage 1, four subject matter experts (SMEs) collaborated with the researcher to develop a new 56‐item developmental screening tool which was later developed into a mobile application named Spark Developmental Screening Mobile Application (SparkApp). Stage 2 was a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and user‐friendliness of SparkApp. Fifty‐six parents (mean age = 32.59 years, S.D. = 3.00) from various ethnicities and income levels were recruited from Klang Valley, Malaysia. They conducted developmental screening on their children using SparkApp. Then, they rated the user‐friendliness of SparkApp, and the researcher conducted one‐on‐one cognitive interviews with them. The results showed that SparkApp was easy to use and most items in it were clear and relevant. Nevertheless, some aspects could be amended to enhance the clarity and relevance of the items and the feasibility of the game tasks. In conclusion, SparkApp is a suitable medium for parents to conduct periodic developmental screenings at home to aid the screening process of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Age appropriate · Child development · CLARITY · Cognitive development · Developmental stage · Ethnic group · Relevance (law) · SPARK (programming language) · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Infant Development and Preterm Care

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