Recently, my brother had an independent evaluation. We had a meeting to go over the Dr’s findings. One of her findings was based on an attention test that my brother received. The test required him to sit in front of a computer screen and everytime he saw the letter A he pressed the space bar.
I thought this was the TOVA test but it seems that test is usually geometric designs.
Does anyone know if the TOVA test can have letters? I would like to read up on the test and see how it is affected by dyslexia and APD.
The Dr. is recommending medication and I am not sure that it is appropriate.
Thanks
K.
Re: T.O.V.A.
Thank you.
I also feel that if we address the issues of his LD that he will not need medication.
I was very leery of the finding of moderate ADD. He told the Dr. that part of his attention problems were when he was in a classroom that had a teacher moving around he lost track of what they were saying. To my that should be addressed with an FM System not medication. He also said when he has to do any sort of writing he shuts down becuase it is too difficult not because he can’t focus.
Thank you for your response. I guess I need to be reassured I am doing the right things!
K.
Re: T.O.V.A.
Here’s the TOVA website:
http://www.tovatest.com
Here’s an excerpt from the site:
“Continuous performance tests (CPTs) are increasingly being used by clinicians to help screen and monitor the treatment of attention problems. However, while CPTs can provide important information about attentional variables for the clinician, a diagnosis must be based on all of the relevant information (history, behavior ratings, and examinations). While CPTs can provide valuable information about medication effects on attention variables and help to determine optimal dosage level, clinicians need to use many other sources of information that assess these and other behaviors.
Many variables significantly affect the results of a CPT. When deciding which CPT to use, one needs to consider the type of stimulus (geometric vs alphanumeric; auditory and/or visual; complex vs simple; single vs sequential; color vs black and white); frequency of presentation of the target in reference to the nontarget(s); practice effect, interstimulus interval, length of test, mode of response (keyboard vs microswitch), norm base, ease of administration, variables measured, and ease of interpretation. Inattention and impulsivity should also be measured to have a proper and complete ADHD evaluation, assessing the 3 major components of ADHD.”
3 Major components
I would assume that this excerpt from the TOVA website is referring to the 3 major types of ADHD, which are:
ADHD-predominately hyperactive-impulsive type
ADHD-predominately inattentive type
ADHD-combined type
K not sure if this is the test but another test I heard used similar to the tova is the test of continous processeing or CPT. My oldest son who is also CAPD, dyslexic, and ADD, inattentive type did poorly on this test. Meds were recommended but only put him to sleep. As his LD issues have been addressed they have seen a significant decrease in his “ADD” sxs. Hope this helps.