A.R.I.C.D. Association of Research in Infant and Child Development

The ARICD was set up in 1957 as a voluntary association between psychologists and medical practitioners who had come together to study the methods of testing babies and young children originated and taught by Ruth Griffiths, OBE, MA, PhD, Director of the Child Development Research Centre. It is now a registered charity (No. 252115), able to make grants within the terms of its trust, and able to appeal for funds. We would be glad to hear from interested local and national organisations.

The Griffiths Scales - used for testing the abilities of babies from 0 to 2 years - are especially valuable to Educational / Clinical Psychologists and Paediatricians (particularly those specialising in neurodisability) who need to assess the mental and physical development of the very young. The Scales were first published in book form in 1954 under the title “Abilities of Babies”. The extension of the Griffiths Scales for children of 2 – 8 years was completed in 1967. A book entitled the “The Abilities of Young Children” was published in 1970 and reprinted in 1984. These scales provide a standardised development profile of the child’s total mental progress and not just one aspect of ‘intelligence’. Both the Baby Scales and the Extension Scales have now been restandardised to reflect the changing abilities of children over the past twenty years. A.R.I.C.D. is a copyright holder and publisher of handbooks.

Courses are run in various locations by trained recognised Tutors with recognised competency standards across the UK and Republic of Ireland and are also available in Europe, USA, China, South Africa, Singapore, Australia and India.

The importance of the availability of professionals trained in the skill of developmental testing is well recognised in the UK where it is embedded in the training requirements for Paediatricians.

The educational activities of the Association also include courses on testing and a regular programme of lectures on psychological, developmental and medical topics.

Occasional speakers can be made available to talk to other organisations interested in child development.

In Australia there is a “Special Interest Group” centred in New South Wales, also one in South Africa.