The
state-of-the-art in computerized psychological testing of attentional
functioning
IVA+Plus
(formerly known as the IVA) is a unique combined
auditory and visual continuous performance test which
provides data in order to to
help psychologists and other clinicians better assess the ADHD symptoms of
individuals ages 6 through adult. Following the diagnostic
criteria outlined in the DSM-IV, IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) provides data to
help psychologists and other clinicians in making their diagnosis and to facilitate
their ability to differentiate between the
four sub-types of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder –
ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type (formerly called ADD),
ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, ADHD Combined
Type, and ADHD Not Otherwise Specified.
IVA+Plus: A quick
and easy to use ADHD Testing Tool
The IVA+Plus (formerly IVA) main test task, which lasts approximately thirteen
minutes, presents 500 trials of "1"s and "2"s in a
pseudo-random pattern requiring the shifting of sets between
the visual and auditory modalities. The subject is required
to click the mouse only when he sees or hears a "1" and to
inhibit clicking when he sees or hears a "2." During some
segments of the
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA)
test, the "1"s are more common than the
"2"s, creating a response set which "pulls" for errors of
commission, or impulsivity. During alternate segments of the
IVA+Plus (formerly IVA) test, the "1"s occur rarely; this invites more errors of
omission, or inattention, since the subject must remain
vigilant while he waits for a "1" to occur.
IVA+Plus' (formerly IVA) normative group (N=1700) is divided
by gender, and grouped by age as follows: 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17-18, 19-21,
22-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-54, 55-65,
66-96. The database was primarily collected in
Richmond, Texas, Michigan, California and
Florida. All individuals were excluded who were
in therapy, had a history of LD, hyperactivity
or attention problems, who were on any type of
medication (other than birth control unless >55
years of age), who had a history of neurological
problems (dementia, stroke or TBI) and those who
could not validly complete the test. A
relatively equal number of males and females
were included in each age/sex group and an
effort was made to have about 30 males and 30
females in each age group though this was not
always possible. At about 30 in each group, the
standard error ranged between 3-4 points on a
standard scale for all the IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA)
scales. Many
different ethnic groups were included in the
normative sample, but this data has not been
broken down. The normative data is available in
the IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA)
program sub-directory and can be
used in most cases to manually calculate the
standard scores, except when the standard
deviation is small and the percent raw score
reported in the reports has been rounded before
being
displayed (mainly an issue with young adults who
make few errors.)
IVA+Plus provides
psychologists and other clinicians with
a wealth of data
All IVA+Plus (formerly IVA) scores are presented both as raw scores
and as quotient scores. The basis for statistical analysis
is the same as that used for most IQ tests; all quotient
scores have a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.
Applying these familiar interpretative guidelines makes it
easy for you to interpret test results.
IVA+Plus’ scores are divided into four categories —
Attention, Response Control, Attribute and Validity. The
primary
IVA+Plus diagnostic scales are the Full Scale Response
Control Quotient and Full Scale Attention Quotient scores.
The IVA+Plus Full Scale Response Control
Quotient is based on separate Auditory and Visual Response
Control Quotient scores. These Response Control Quotient
scores are derived from visual and auditory Prudence,
Consistency and Stamina scales:
Prudence is a measure of impulsivity and
response inhibition as evidenced by three different
types of errors of commission on the IVA+Plus.
Consistency measures the general
reliability and variability of response times and is
used to help measure the ability to stay on task.
Stamina compares the mean reaction times
of correct responses during the first 200 trials of the
IVA+Plus test to the
last 200 trials of the IVA+Plus test. This score is used to identify problems
related to sustaining attention and effort over time.
The IVA+Plus Full Scale Attention Quotient
is derived from separate Auditory and Visual Attention
Quotients. The Attention Quotient scores are based on equal
measures of visual and auditory Vigilance, Focus and Speed:
Vigilance is a measure of inattention as
evidenced by two different types of errors of omission
on the
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) test task.
Focus reflects the total variability of
mental processing speed for all correct responses on the
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) test task.
Speed reflects the average reaction time
for all correct responses throughout the
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) test and helps
identify attention processing problems related to slow
discriminatory mental processing.
The
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) Fine Motor Regulation scale provides
additional information by recording off-task behaviors with
the mouse, including multiple clicks, spontaneous clicks
during instruction periods, anticipatory clicks and holding
the mouse button down. In behavioral terms, the Fine Motor
Regulation score quantifies fidgetiness and restlessness
associated with small motor hyperactivity.
IVA+Plus’ Attribute scores provides
the clinician with data regarding the client’s learning style. These
scales are:
Balance — indicates whether the test
taker processes information more quickly visually or
aurally, or is equally quick in either modality.
Readiness — indicates whether the test
taker processes information more quickly when the demand
is quicker or when it is slower. This scale can provide
a subtle measure of inattention when the test taker just
“can’t quite keep up” with the demand.
IVA+Plus’ Validity scales are
auditory and visual Comprehension, Persistence and
Sensory/Motor:
Comprehension identifies random
responding, which would lead to faulty interpretation of
other
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) scale scores. Research has shown this to
be the single most sensitive sub-scale in discriminating
ADHD.
Persistence is a measure of motivation
when the test taker is asked to do “one more thing.” It
can also reflect motor or mental fatigue.
The Sensory/Motor scales are used to rule
out possible neurological, psychological or learning
problems as evidenced by slow simple reaction time.
IVA+Plus:
Provides
a wealth of objective data. Following the
guidelines of the DSM-IV, IVA+Plus’ unique
integrated format provides much more information
than can be drawn from subjective rating scales
or single modality CPTs.
Identifies both auditory and visual inattention
and impulsivity. IVA+Plus mixes visual and
auditory stimuli, creating a "real-life" task,
increasing test sensitivity and power.
Helps improve diagnostic accuracy. In a validity
study, IVA+Plus correctly identified clinician
diagnosed ADHD children 92.3% of the time and
had a low false positive rate of 10%.
Accurately assesses treatment and medication
effects. IVA+Plus research studies demonstrate
excellent test-retest reliability and stability.
Top 10 reasons to
invest in IVA+Plus
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) saves you time.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) enables psychologists
and other clinicians to measure and evaluate both
auditory and visual inattention and impulsivity
separately and simultaneously in less than 20 minutes.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) provides psychologists
and other clinicians with
wealth of objective data. Following the guidelines of
the DSM-IV for the diagnosis of ADHD , IVA+Plus'
(formerly IVA) unique
integrated format provides provides much more
information than can be drawn from subjective rating
scales or from any other commercially available CPT.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) provides objective data to
help psychologists and other clinicians improve their diagnostic accuracy. In a validity study, IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA)
correctly identified clinician diagnosed ADHD children
92.3% of the time and had a low positive rate of 10%.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) helps psychologists and
other clinicians better
communicate the aspects of ADHD symptoms to parents, teachers and other
healthcare providers. IVA+Plus'
(formerly IVA) visual graphs give skeptics a
clear, concrete picture of measurable data to support
clinicians' diagnostic interpretations.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) gives psychologists and
other clinicians unique
insight. IVA+Plus'
(formerly IVA) Attribute scales provide
healthcare professionals with
patterns of responding regarding learning styles and tell whether
the client is a visual or auditory learning.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) is easy to
administer. All test instructions are presented by the
computer both visually and aurally. IVA+Plus'
(formerly IVA)
natural-sounding voice provides a highly structured,
standardized, easy-to-use administration procedure.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) is easy for the clinician to
interpret. Using the same type of scoring system as IQ
test, IVA+Plus'
(formerly IVA) interpretation is familiar to
clinicians and easy to learn.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) helps clinician's garner more
objective data as part of their comprehensive
evaluation. Research
studies demonstrate excellent test-retest reliability
and stability, making IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) a potentially useful instrument for
measuring treatment and medication effects.
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) can help clinicians
screen for possible emotional and neurological problems. IVA+Plus'
(formerly IVA) Validity scales tell the
healthcare professional if their clients are
responding randomly or abnormally slowly. (IVA+Plus'
response time measure is accurate + or - 8 ms.)
IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA) enables the clinician to immediately
and easily analyze the test data - there is no need
for the test administrator to ever mail in anything. In addition, IVA+Plus
(formerly IVA)
stores all raw data so future analyses based on research
may be applied to any previously collected data set.
"I have been using the
IVA+Plus Continuous Performance Test for a
number of years in my clinical practice. It is a
superb evaluation tool and has performed year
after year without flaw or failure. Thank you
for developing your wonderful and effective
program. The quality of your products is
unsurpassed and your customer support is
superb."
– John A.
Garlock, Ed.D., Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, LCDC, CEAP,
Clinical Director,
The Family Resource Center,
Woodlands, Texas
Isn’t it time you became one of the
growing number of clinicians worldwide who are enjoying the
benefits of this unique standard in cognitive assessment?
IVA+Plus™
IVA+Plus:
A well-normed
ADHD Testing Tool