Or, how about your CHILD?

Do you have trouble focusing, paying attention, and staying on task? Has this led you or others to suspect that you have an attention disorder?

There is a way to find out. The Test of Variable Attention (T.O.V.A.)® can provide the answers you need to move on with your life and get needed help if you do, indeed, have an attention disorder.

In the past, we have strongly relied on such measures as self–described problems, teachers’ observations, and comments from friends to suggest that we seek help for a possible attention disorder.

The T.O.V.A.® is a much more reliable method of determining attention problems, or, conversely, ruling them out. The Continuous Performance Test (CPT) was first introduced in the mid-1950’s and since then many different versions have been used in research.

The most widely used test, the T.O.V.A.® began in 1966, and Dr, Lawrence Greenberg, its originator, has continuously worked on its refinement through his careful research. The result is a test based on more than 10,000 clinical cases. While Dr. Greenberg carefully claims only 80% accuracy on test results, the actual results are much closer to 90% accuracy.

There are two versions of the T.O.V.A.®: the visual and the auditory tests, individually administered to assess attention and impulse control in normal and clinical populations. They can be used in conjunction with other information gathering tools or diagnostic tests in neuropsychological or psychological evaluations. The T.O.V.A.® was developed to measure attentional and impulse control processes in the following areas:

• inattention, or omissions
• impulse control, or commissions
• response time
• response time variability

For the Visual T.O.V.A.®, the stimuli are two easily discriminated geometric pictures centered on the computer screen.

For the Auditory T.O.V.A.®, the stimuli are two easily discriminated audible tones, played through the external speakers on the computer.

The response is registered by pressing a Microswitch as quickly and accurately as possible.

During the test itself, one of the two stimuli is presented for 100msec every 2 seconds. The varying target/nontarget ratio allows for the examination of the effects of differing response demands on inattention and impulsivity. Simply put, the test shows how well you can pay attention and control actions. It is a 20-minute test, and uses just the two stimuli throughout. Over time, the results of these tests have been compared to thousands of individuals who either have an attention problem or others who score in the normal range for attention and impulsivity.

The test is accompanied by several written inventories to be completed by the tested individual or his/her parents. The results are obtained through both clinical evaluation and interpretation of the test.

There are rules for the administration of T.O.V.A.® which take into account:
• the individual’s IQ
• time of day (administered in morning)
• any medicine currently taken by the individual
• caffeine consumption
• smoking

Since all of the above can affect an individual’s brain functioning, the test conditions are carefully controlled.

Results of the test include:
• Interpretation
• Analysis Graph
• Analyzed data
• Signal Detection Data
• Information and Results
• Notes to the Clinician
• Suggested Interventions (School Intervention Report-504 plan)
• Raw data

On the day of the test, it is possible that some results will be immediately available for informal discussion. A formal written evaluation will be available to ensure coordination of services among various persons and/or agencies that may make use of them. Particularly helpful to teachers and parents are the suggested interventions for the individual.