The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children is a relatively new instrument designed to measure the cognitive abilities of children ages 2 1/2 to 12 1/2. The battery was predominantly based upon Luria's theory of cognitive processing which proposes a simultaneous and sequential dichotomy for the analysis of information. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses have generally supported this theory. However, across different age groups and with special populations, analyses have been inconsistent.Few alternative structures for the battery have been tested, especially with special populations.The purpose of the present study was to assess the viability of a two factor structure based upon the modality of input for a group of students referred for learning difficulties. One hundred and twelve students, ages 7 to 12 1/2, who had been referred by teachers because of learning difficulties were used in the study. The thirteen subtests of the K-ABC were specified as being associated with a visual input factor, an auditory input factor, or both. Confirmatory factor analysis, as performed by the LISREL VI computer program, was then used to test this hypothesis. Unreasonable parameter estimates led to the rejection of the model for this sample. This lack of confirmation is discussed in terms of high correlations among estimates, misspecification of the model, sample homogeneity, and lack of independence among the subtests in terms of input modality. It was concluded that input modality was not a major factor in performance on the battery for this particular sample.

Globalisation yields numerous challenges and continuous changes in the economic environment, rapid technological advancements, and an increased emphasis on organisational competitiveness. The existing practice in the Telecommunications company relied on conventional recruitment-on-vacancy and training. In 1997, a customer contact research programme was launched to review the specific competencies underlying the full range of customer contact roles, in order to understand the constructs which would underlie effective assessment of people for the role of sales and marketing. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of an assessment battery in a telecommunications company. The assessment battery measures the participants' essential skills, behaviour and performance to bring about critical development action. The Work Profiling System (WPS) and Subject Matter Experts in the Sales Division identified the fifteen competencies. The assessment battery consisted of Ability Tests: Verbal Evaluation (VCC3) and Numerical Evaluation (NCC4), and a personality questionnaire: Customer Contact Styles Questionnaire (CCSQ7.2). The Customer Contact Competency Inventory (CCCI) was electronically administered to the sales representatives' respective managers in 2006, to give objective 360" feedback. The study population (n=97) consisted of sales representatives working in a Telecommunication company. The objectives for this research were to validate the chosen selection battery for the sales representatives, and determine its relation to manager-rated performance. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine whether the independent variables (CCSQ7.2 and Ability Tests) hold any predictive value regarding the dependent variable (CCCI). The results of the regression analyses showed that Verbal Evaluation (VCC3) was a significant predictor of: Convincing, Communicating Orally, Results Driven. Problem Solving and Organisation. Modest (R4) was a significant predictor of Convincing. Participative (R5) was a significant predictor of Problem Solving and Organisation. Overall, it can be stated that there is a significant relationship between the test battery and job performance. The results in this study reflect that correlations between personality, ability and performance were small to moderate. This is lower than expected and what is found in similar international research. This is probably due to the flawed criterion. The results should be used with caution to prevent making a Type I1 error. Recommendations for future research are made. vii / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This diploma thesis deals with the issue of children with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder with trisomy 21st chromosome with typical overal psychomotoric delay. The thesis is focused on the specific difficultes of children with Down syndrome, with emphasis on motor skills. Children with Down syndrome are examined by standard motion test Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (MABC-2). There are a total of 19 children ranging in age 3-14 years. The control group of children is chosen in similar age group, a total of 20 children. Simultaneously at work is compared a parameter of achievement independent walking. This milestone is very often assessed and used in children with Down syndrome. The results show that children with Down syndrome in comparison with healthy peers did not achieve the similar level of motor skills. In the percentile rating, the children reached the level below the 5th percentile of standard norms. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

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Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a perceptual-motor development programme for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), as identified on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). A pre- and post-test design was employed in the study and data were reported as case studies. The programme included a cognitive approach to perceptual-motor activities, with special attention to visual perception. The intervention programme was implemented over six consecutive weeks, with two 45-minute sessions each week. The motor proficiency of nine of the 12 children who participated in this study improved to the point where they were no longer classified as having DCD. The reasons for this improvement could be attributed to the regular practise provided by the perceptual-motor activities that were the content of the program and to the method of presentation, i.e. the cognitive strategies that were child-centred, which could have helped develop self-confidence in the children. These results are in agreement with the research of Schoemaker and Kalverboer (1994) that many children with DCD may learn to overcome or cope with their movement problems. The three children who performed most poorly on the M-ABC pre-test did not improve over the course of the intervention programme. A thorough examination of their perceptual-motor system could provide more information about the various factors that may contribute to their movement problems. It is also possible that the programme simply was not long enough for these children (they did not get enough practise) and/or they were not able to respond to the child-centred cognitive approach in such a short period of time.

10 Annotation This diploma thesis deals with relations between developmental coordination disorder (or developmental dyspraxia) and laterality and handedness. In the theoretical part this work summarizes actual knowledge about the origin and the development of laterality and handedness and describes possibilities how to examine it. It also deals with knowledge about developmental coordination disorder, its characteristic, etiology, prevalence and diagnostic possibilities. The aim of the practical part was to evaluate motor difficulties in children with right and left handedness and to compare differencies. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 was used for that evaluation. Motor skills in 64 children (30 left-handed and 34 right-handed) were evaluated. We haven't found any difference between those groups of children, their results were very balanced. We have also tested the motor skills in children with crossed eye-hand laterality, any significant difference hasn't been found in comparison with standard population. The group of children with learning disabilities has been also evaluated, we have found statisticaly significant difference between their motor skills and motor skills of standard population.

Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism is a form of pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and restricted and stereotyped interests. These children are often clumsy and motor uncoordinated. They also performed worse in standardized tests of motor function. In this diploma thesis we used Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (MABC-2) for assessment motor skills in children with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism aged 7-10 years in comparison with the group of children developing typically. Our study included 9 children with Asperger syndrome, 3 children with high-functioning autism and 64 children with typical development. Evident motor deficit (below 5. percentile) was found in 2 children with Asperger syndrome and 3 children with high-functioning autism. 1 child with Asperger syndrome was in a risk of motor deficit (6.-16. percentile). Children with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism performed significantly worse than children developing typically in a total score of this test. Significant difference was found in two components of MABC-2, in Aiming and catching (AC) and Balance (BAL). Better results reached children with typical development. Results of this study indicate that children with Asperger syndrome...

This diploma thesis deals with very low birth weight children in relation to the occurrence of motor problems. The theoretical part provides an overview of knowledge about the low birth children's problems, early postnatal problems and problems from childhood to adulthood in the physical, psychological and pedagogic field. The main part of the theoretical information concerns the occurrence of motor disorders, particularly the developmental dyspraxia and motor disorders about very low birth children. The aim of the practical part of the work was to determine whether low birth weight infants have higher incidence of developmental dyspraxia in comparison with term infants. The research group consisted of 25 low birth weight children, they were examined by Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (MABC-2). Children were examinate for posture and postural functions compiled using our protocol. The another aim of the practical part of the work was to determine whether low birht weight children have higher incidence of physical activity in steps by week in comparison with normal birth weight infants. There was significant difference in the incidence of motor disorders between the research group and the control group of 73 normal birth weight children and standard population and the group of late...

Diplomová práce Hodnocení vývojové dyspraxie u dětí s vývojovou dysfázií Abstract This thesis focuses on possible incidence of developmental dyspraxia among children with developmental dysphasia. Theoretical part of the study summarizes information about developmental dyspraxia (sometimes also known as developmental coordination disorder). It also describes developmental dysphasia which is predominantly studied in logopaedics and it is less known in physiotherapy. The link between these disorders is the topic of the last chapter of the theoretical part. The aim of the practical part is to evaluate motor skills of children with developmental dysphasia with usage of diagnostic battery Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2. Both foreign and newly published Czech population norms have been used for analysis of the results. In the research, 89 children with average age of 69 months have been examined. The first group included 41 children with developmental dysphasia. For this first group, the control group of 48 children was also set up. The research proved statistically significant difference between motor skills of children with developmental dysphasia in comparison to the control group. This difference has been proven by both Czech and foreign norms. On the other hand difference between motor skills of...

The purpose of the present study was to determine if African American and Caucasian preschool children displayed similar patterns of performance among the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) factors measured by the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC-II). Specifically, a profile analysis was conducted to determine if African Americans and Caucasians displayed the same patterns of highs and low and scored at the same level on the KABC-II composites and subtests. Forty-nine African American (mean age = 59.14 months) and 49 Caucasian (mean age = 59.39) preschool children from a Midwestern City were included in the study and were matched on age, sex, and level of parental education. Results of a profile analysis found African American and Caucasian preschool children had a similar pattern of highs and lows and performed at the same level on the CHC broad abilities as measured by the KABC-II. Comparison of the overall mean IQ indicated no significant differences between the two groups. The overall mean difference between groups was 1.47 points, the smallest gap seen in the literature. This finding was inconsistent with previous research indicating a one standard deviation difference in IQ between African Americans and Caucasians. A profile analysis of the KABC-II subtests found the African American and Caucasian groups performed at an overall similar level, but did not show the same pattern of highs and lows. Specifically, Caucasians scored significantly higher than African Americans on the Expressive Vocabulary subtest which measures the CHC narrow ability of Lexical Knowledge. Results of this study supported the KABC-II’s authors’ recommendation to make interpretations at the composite level. When developing hypotheses of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in narrow abilities, clinicians should be cautious when interpreting the Expressive Vocabulary subtest with African Americans. Overall, results of this study supported the use of the KABC-II with African American preschool children. When making assessment decisions, clinicians can be more confident in an unbiased assessment with the KABC-II. Future research could further explore the CHC narrow abilities in ethnically diverse populations. Additionally, more research should be conducted with other measures of cognitive ability designed to adhere to the CHC theory, and the appropriateness of those tests with an African American population. Furthermore, future research with the KABC-II could determine if the results of the present study were replicated in other age groups. / Department of Educational Psychology