| Although there isn't a single test that can detect | | | | impulsivity, errors of omission, and |
| ADHD like a virus, there are several tests that | | | | post-commission response times. The score is |
| provide objective measures of the symptoms in | | | | tallied and compared to scores from an age- and |
| a child. One of these tests is known as the Test | | | | gender-specific group. |
| of Variables of Attention, or TOVA. TOVA is a | | | | Benefits of taking the TOVA |
| computer program that measures inattention and | | | | The TOVA brings a number of benefits to both |
| impulsivity through a very simple 21-minute game. | | | | the test-taker and the clinician evaluating the child. |
| The objective of the game is to complete certain | | | | First of all, it has great diagnostic accuracy due to |
| tasks that measure the test-taker's response to | | | | its objective measures of inattention and |
| certain stimuli. The results of a test-taker with | | | | impulsivity, which cannot be obtained from |
| ADHD are compared to the results of individuals | | | | behavior ratings and the child's history. By itself, |
| without ADHD. Although the TOVA is typically | | | | the TOVA has been able to determine ADHD in |
| used to help a clinician evaluate ADHD in a child, it | | | | 86% of the test-takers. |
| may also be administered to check the efficacy | | | | Since the TOVA is an objective measure of |
| of treatment plans. | | | | inattention and impulsivity, you'll be able to |
| How the TOVA works | | | | understand your child's condition and the |
| The problem with many ADHD tests is that they | | | | measures that need to be taken for effective |
| are often biased towards a particular culture and | | | | treatment. With continued retesting throughout |
| language. TOVA minimizes the effects of these | | | | treatment, it will be easy for you and the clinician |
| differences by using culture-neutral geometric | | | | to track your child's progress and see if the |
| stimuli. The two parts of the test, target frequent | | | | treatment plan needs any adjustments. |
| and target infrequent, also help efface cultural and | | | | Limitations of the TOVA |
| language-based differences. The target infrequent | | | | Although the TOVA has a high rate of detecting |
| part of the test involves a repetitive task that | | | | ADHD, you need to note that the test itself does |
| measures inattention. A target is shown | | | | not make the diagnosis - the clinician does. TOVA |
| infrequently and randomly, which means that the | | | | is simply an instrument used by the clinician to |
| test-taker has to pay close attention to spot the | | | | determine the presence and severity of ADHD |
| infrequent target. The test-taker gets a point for | | | | symptoms. As with most tests, TOVA should be |
| inattention if he or she does not respond to the | | | | one component of a comprehensive testing |
| target. The target frequent part of the test | | | | protocol. The results of the TOVA are merely a |
| measures impulsivity by flashing a target more | | | | description of the condition; they do not identify |
| frequently. The test-taker will thus have to show | | | | the causes of ADHD nor do they unmask other |
| more restraint to avoid clicking on the non-target. | | | | disorders that share the same symptoms. |
| A point for impulsivity is scored if the child clicks | | | | Regardless of how your child scores in the TOVA |
| on a non-target. | | | | test, he or she will have to go through further |
| After the test is done, the TOVA measures | | | | testing for the clinician to determine the cause of |
| several variables: response time, consistency, | | | | the disorder. |