Author : Loretta Ann Schoeppner
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 144 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (144 download)
Book Synopsis Reliability and Construct Validity of the School Readiness Fine Moter Assessment by : Loretta Ann Schoeppner
Download or read book Reliability and Construct Validity of the School Readiness Fine Moter Assessment written by Loretta Ann Schoeppner and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: This study investigated the reliability and validity of the SRFMA, a new assessment focusing on children ages 4 to 6 to identify fine motor performance delays and reasons for these delays. The test was developed based on research on fine motor development and analysis of current evaluations available to occupational therapists. Current evaluations lack sensitivity for identifying fine motor difficulties for children ages 4 to 6 that will impact function in the kindergarten classroom. The SRFMA was administered to 93 children ages 4 to 6. The SRFMA evaluates specific components of fine motor function including: visual motor skill, manipulation, strength, coordination, and motor planning through performance in functional tasks (e.g. draw a person, construction, writing letters and cutting with scissors). Testing occurred in the school setting, administered by one of five occupational therapists. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated through testing of 23 children by correlating the results of two examiners who observed the child simultaneously. Test-retest reliability was evaluated through testing of 20 children twice within two weeks and correlating the results. Internal consistency was analyzed using SRFMA scores for all 93 students. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing the scores of typical students with children receiving special education and occupational therapy services to determine differences in scores between the two groups. Findings of this study indicated strong inter-rater and test re-test reliability of the SRFMA. In the area of inter-rater reliability, moderate to high correlations were found between raters for total and subtest scores, with the exception of unifix blocks. High correlations were found for test re-test reliability related to total and subtest scores, with the exception of the unifix blocks and neuromotor subtests. Scores in internal consistency within subtests demonstrated a strong to very strong relationship. The SRMFA was found to discriminate between typical children and children receiving special education and occupational therapy services for total and subtest scores with the exception of the Lacing subtest. The information from this study provides support for continued research of the SRFMA. Further studies with larger, random samples within a diverse population are recommended prior to the use of this assessment. Revisions are needed in various subtests to provide more information on their reliability and validity prior to clinical use of the SRFMA.