The Field Study was designed to investigate some aspects of content validity of a specially designed Draft Manual for Diagnostic Procedures in Reading. A copy of the Manual is available separately, but relevant sections of it are appended to this Report. The Draft Manual for Diagnostic Procedures in Reading (D.M.D.P.R.) was issued to seventeen students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Special Education. These students were completing the unit, Curriculum Design in Language and Reading. The D.M.D.P.R. was compiled as a trial testing instrument which could be used by the students in their course-work on diagnosis of reading difficulties. The manual contains three sections, listed below, which are germane to this study. This Report will focus upon the procedures of testing which were taught and practised in, and the results obtained from, trial testing by the writer and the students within the framework of the Curriculum Design in Language and Reading (C.D.L.R.) unit. The three sections of the D.M.D.P.R. which are the subject of this study are: 1. Diagnostic Procedures in the Assessment of Reading Readiness. 2. A Rationale for the Measurement of Reading Performance. 3. The Principles, Procedures and Application of Miscue Analysis in the Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties. The Report will describe and analyse the findings obtained from Sections 1 and 3. in which information has been obtained from the course participants in their use of the D.M.D.P.R. Section 2, an article on theoretical issues in diagnosis of reading processes, was included in the D.M.D.P.R. to explain to the participants the rationale of miscue analysis techniques. The explanatory and descriptive nature of that section will be referred to in this Report for reference purposes only. Report on Section 1 Section 1 of the D.M.D.P.R. is a series of five tests which were designed to trial a method of assessment of the developmental language and reading status of children aged between 5.6 and 7.5 years of age. The children were rated by their teachers in language and reading development on a five-point scale, which ranged from extremely poor, to below average, average, above average, and excellent. The tests were administered to nearly 200 children and data was obtained from 137 of these. The children comprise a sample who have been exposed to one, two or three years of reading readiness training and reading teaching in a wide variety of programs and systems. The primary purpose of designing the tests was to use criteria of performance which do not commonly appear in standardized, normative tests of reading readiness and reading development. The rationale of the tests was stated in the D.M.D.P.R. The Report reviews this rationale in Chapters I and II and the results obtained from the application of the trial tests in Chapter III. Report on Section 3 Section 3 of the D.M.D.P.R. proposes a system of diagnostic testing in reading, known as Miscue Analysis. The Report attempts to review, in descriptive terms, the patterns of error behaviour in reading which can be illustrated by the miscue analysis technique, and to describe the systems of analysis developed by the writer and unit participants in their investigations of 130 children who were described as low proficiency readers. This review is contained in Chapter IV. Because the miscue analysis technique is diagnostic in purpose, it would be inappropriate to describe the Section 3 program as experimental or empirical. Several insights into the uses of the miscue analysis technique were developed progressively in the C.D.L.R. unit and these procedures and uses will be the subject of the report. In summary, the overall purposes of the study were therefore two-fold: 1. to provide a group of specialist teachers in training with a manual of diagnostic procedures appropriate to the assessment of children's reading progress in early and later stages of reading development; and 2. to assess experimentally the validity of original test materials to be used in early reading stages, and to appraise descriptively the efficacy of a diagnostic procedure in reading in later reading stages.

Neuropsychological aspects of preclinical stages of neurodegenerative diseases are an extensively studied topic in neuropsychological research. Neuropsychological assessment can be helpful for the estimation of conversion risk in individual cases. The focus of neuropsychological research shifted from the evaluation of dementia to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or even to the detection of cognitive change before significant cognitive decline. In the theoretical part is presented a contemporary outline of preclinical stages of neurodegenerative diseases. The construct of MCI is the most studied topic in the prodromal stage of neurodegeneration and this part is dedicated to comprehensive analysis of MCI. The empirical research includes five studies on screening methods of cognitive abilities, memory and verbal fluency tests. We present normative and validity data in older adults and show their detection potential in MCI or preclinical stages of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we tried to show the detection potential of different memory measures in patients with MCI and estimate the relations between hippocampal atrophy and memory performance. Key words mild cognitive impairment, dementia syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, neuropsychological assessment, diagnostic procedures

The pediatric audiology landscape changed dramatically with the advances in screening and diagnostic procedures, amplification possibilities and early identification outcomes. Pediatricians play a key role in this rapidly developing field. The aim of this study was to investigate Pediatricians’ knowledge and attitudes regarding the diagnosis and intervention of infants and children with a sensorineural hearing loss. A questionnaire was compiled to obtain the relevant empirical data. This was distributed to 257 pediatricians in the Gauteng Province. Of the 257 questionnaires only 47 could be utilised. According to the results obtained from the pediatricians it appears that the respondents possess adequate knowledge regarding the diagnosis and intervention of infants and children with sensorineural hearing loss. This is despite having received limited or no information and training on this subject. As is discussed in Chapter 4 it became evident that knowledge gaps were found to exist. The pediatrician is an important team member of the hearing intervention team. Their involvement is crucial and their referral can be the important stepping-stone for early identification and intervention. A lack of skills and proficient knowledge is a major constraint during the implementation of efficient primary health care services in developing countries. Throughout the results of this study, it is found that pediatricians have a need for additional information and training in the intervention process of infants and children with sensorineural hearing loss, therefore showing a positive attitude towards continuous education. This is based on the results found throughout the study, in terms of a void in certain areas surrounding effective intervention of hearing loss. The aim of the study was to highlight areas of uncertainty that the respondents might experience and to provide educational programmes in order to equip them with the relevant knowledge with regards to sensorineural hearing loss. The findings of this study would hopefully encourage future research and a more in-depth study regarding this topic. / Dissertation (M (Communication Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Unrestricted

Neuropsychological aspects of preclinical stages of neurodegenerative diseases are an extensively studied topic in neuropsychological research. Neuropsychological assessment can be helpful for the estimation of conversion risk in individual cases. The focus of neuropsychological research shifted from the evaluation of dementia to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or even to the detection of cognitive change before significant cognitive decline. In the theoretical part is presented a contemporary outline of preclinical stages of neurodegenerative diseases. The construct of MCI is the most studied topic in the prodromal stage of neurodegeneration and this part is dedicated to comprehensive analysis of MCI. The empirical research includes five studies on screening methods of cognitive abilities, memory and verbal fluency tests. We present normative and validity data in older adults and show their detection potential in MCI or preclinical stages of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we tried to show the detection potential of different memory measures in patients with MCI and estimate the relations between hippocampal atrophy and memory performance. Key words mild cognitive impairment, dementia syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, neuropsychological assessment, diagnostic procedures

No description available.

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar da fundamental importância da olfação para avaliação dos sabores dos alimentos ingeridos, percepção de vazamento de gases e de incêndios, sua avaliação clínica ainda não se encontra padronizada no Brasil. O Teste de Identificação do Olfato da Universidade da Pensilvânia (UPSIT) é um teste mundialmente utilizado e considerado por muitos como o padrão-ouro da avaliação olfatória. Originalmente em inglês, já foi traduzido para mais de 12 línguas. Esse trabalho se propôs a validar de forma inédita o UPSIT para outra cultura. O UPSIT versão em português foi validado para a população brasileira e tabelas normativas foram elaboradas para comparação do escore obtido segundo o sexo e idade do indivíduo. Secundariamente, procurou-se os fatores preditores de um melhor escore no teste. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado de dezembro de 2011 a agosto de 2012. A amostra utilizada foi não-probabilística por quotas e constituída por indivíduos presentes em uma instituição de atendimento público (Poupatempo São Paulo), de forma consecutiva, sem queixas olfatórias no dia do exame. Foi determinada a quota de 60 brasileiros(as) em cada faixa etária de cada sexo, a saber: 20-24, 25-30, 31-34, 35-40, 41-44, 45-50, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 e >= 80 anos. Após responderem questionário referente a dados demográficos e critérios de inclusão e exclusão do estudo, fizeram o UPSIT 782 indivíduos do sexo masculino e 796 do sexo feminino. Nos pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos foi realizado o Mini Exame do Estado Mental e se excluíram aqueles pacientes com escore inferior a 24 pontos pela possibilidade de quadro demencial. A versão do UPSIT aplicada nesse estudo foi resultado de dois estudos prévios para melhorar a aplicabilidade desse teste para a população brasileira. RESULTADOS: 1820 voluntários participaram do estudo, 1578 foram incluídos nas tabelas normativas. 242 foram excluídos no dia da entrevista por estarem com infecção das vias aéreas superiores, terem história de trauma crânio-encefálico, queixa de perda de olfato ou paladar e um escore menor de 24 no Mini Exame do Estado Mental. Verificou-se que entre os 1578 indivíduos analisados, o escore de UPSIT variou de 9 a 40, obtendo-se escore médio de 32,1 (desvio padrão: 5,3) e escore mediano igual a 33. Pela análise univariada (p < 0,01) e multivariada - regressão linear múltipla- (p < 0,05), observou-se que a idade, sexo, número de anos de estudo e renda mensal da família influíram no escore do teste. CONCLUSÕES: O UPSIT está agora validado para utilização na população brasileira. Disponibilizou-se tabelas normativas para avaliação olfatória e um modo rápido de obtê-las. Fatores de correção são necessários para uma perfeita equivalência entre as normas de todos os continentes, utilizando como padrão-ouro as normas do país onde a versão original do teste foi desenvolvida. Pior status econômico e educacional interferem negativamente na performance olfatória / INTRODUCTION: Despite the fundamental importance of olfaction to assess the flavors of food, perception of gas leakage and fire, its clinical evaluation is not yet standardized in Brazil. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test of the (UPSIT) is a test used worldwide and considered by many as the gold standard of olfactory assessment. Originally in English, it has been translated into more than 12 languages. This study aimed to validate the UPSIT for another culture in a novel form. The portuguese version of UPSIT Portuguese version was validated for the Brazilian population and normative tables were prepared to compare the score obtained by sex and age of the individual. Secondarily, we sought the predictors of a better score on the test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted from December 2011 to August 2012. The sample used was a non-probabilistic by quotas and consisted of individuals present in a public service institution (Poupatempo São Paulo), consecutively, without olfactory complaints on exam day. We determined the quota of 60 Brazilians in each age group for each sex, as follows: 20-24, 25-30, 31-34, 35-40, 41-44, 45-50, 50-54, 55 -59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and >= 80 years. After answering a questionnaire about demographics and inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, 782 males and 796 females did the UPSIT. In patients aged over 65 years was held the Mini Mental State Examination and excluded those patients with a score less than 24 points for the possibility of dementia. The version of the UPSIT applied in this study was the result of two previous studies to enhance the applicability of this test for the Brazilian population. RESULTS: 1820 volunteers participated in the study, 1578 were included in the normative tables. 242 were excluded on the day of the interview for being with upper airway infection, having an history of head trauma, complaining of smell or taste losses and a score below 24 on the Mini Mental State Examination. It was found that among the 1578 subjects analyzed, the UPSIT scores ranged from 9 to 40, yielding a mean score of 32.1 (SD: 5.3) and a median 33. By univariate analysis (p < 0.01) and multivariate analysis - multiple linear regression-(p < 0.05), it was observed that the age, sex, years of schooling and family monthly income influenced the test scores. CONCLUSIONS: UPSIT is now validated for use in the Brazilian population. Normative tables for olfactory assessment and a fast way to obtain them were demonstrated. Correction factors are needed for a perfect equivalence between norms of all continents, using as gold standard norms of the country where the original version of the test was developed. Worse economic and educational status interfered negatively in olfactory performance

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar da fundamental importância da olfação para avaliação dos sabores dos alimentos ingeridos, percepção de vazamento de gases e de incêndios, sua avaliação clínica ainda não se encontra padronizada no Brasil. O Teste de Identificação do Olfato da Universidade da Pensilvânia (UPSIT) é um teste mundialmente utilizado e considerado por muitos como o padrão-ouro da avaliação olfatória. Originalmente em inglês, já foi traduzido para mais de 12 línguas. Esse trabalho se propôs a validar de forma inédita o UPSIT para outra cultura. O UPSIT versão em português foi validado para a população brasileira e tabelas normativas foram elaboradas para comparação do escore obtido segundo o sexo e idade do indivíduo. Secundariamente, procurou-se os fatores preditores de um melhor escore no teste. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado de dezembro de 2011 a agosto de 2012. A amostra utilizada foi não-probabilística por quotas e constituída por indivíduos presentes em uma instituição de atendimento público (Poupatempo São Paulo), de forma consecutiva, sem queixas olfatórias no dia do exame. Foi determinada a quota de 60 brasileiros(as) em cada faixa etária de cada sexo, a saber: 20-24, 25-30, 31-34, 35-40, 41-44, 45-50, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 e >= 80 anos. Após responderem questionário referente a dados demográficos e critérios de inclusão e exclusão do estudo, fizeram o UPSIT 782 indivíduos do sexo masculino e 796 do sexo feminino. Nos pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos foi realizado o Mini Exame do Estado Mental e se excluíram aqueles pacientes com escore inferior a 24 pontos pela possibilidade de quadro demencial. A versão do UPSIT aplicada nesse estudo foi resultado de dois estudos prévios para melhorar a aplicabilidade desse teste para a população brasileira. RESULTADOS: 1820 voluntários participaram do estudo, 1578 foram incluídos nas tabelas normativas. 242 foram excluídos no dia da entrevista por estarem com infecção das vias aéreas superiores, terem história de trauma crânio-encefálico, queixa de perda de olfato ou paladar e um escore menor de 24 no Mini Exame do Estado Mental. Verificou-se que entre os 1578 indivíduos analisados, o escore de UPSIT variou de 9 a 40, obtendo-se escore médio de 32,1 (desvio padrão: 5,3) e escore mediano igual a 33. Pela análise univariada (p < 0,01) e multivariada - regressão linear múltipla- (p < 0,05), observou-se que a idade, sexo, número de anos de estudo e renda mensal da família influíram no escore do teste. CONCLUSÕES: O UPSIT está agora validado para utilização na população brasileira. Disponibilizou-se tabelas normativas para avaliação olfatória e um modo rápido de obtê-las. Fatores de correção são necessários para uma perfeita equivalência entre as normas de todos os continentes, utilizando como padrão-ouro as normas do país onde a versão original do teste foi desenvolvida. Pior status econômico e educacional interferem negativamente na performance olfatória / INTRODUCTION: Despite the fundamental importance of olfaction to assess the flavors of food, perception of gas leakage and fire, its clinical evaluation is not yet standardized in Brazil. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test of the (UPSIT) is a test used worldwide and considered by many as the gold standard of olfactory assessment. Originally in English, it has been translated into more than 12 languages. This study aimed to validate the UPSIT for another culture in a novel form. The portuguese version of UPSIT Portuguese version was validated for the Brazilian population and normative tables were prepared to compare the score obtained by sex and age of the individual. Secondarily, we sought the predictors of a better score on the test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted from December 2011 to August 2012. The sample used was a non-probabilistic by quotas and consisted of individuals present in a public service institution (Poupatempo São Paulo), consecutively, without olfactory complaints on exam day. We determined the quota of 60 Brazilians in each age group for each sex, as follows: 20-24, 25-30, 31-34, 35-40, 41-44, 45-50, 50-54, 55 -59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and >= 80 years. After answering a questionnaire about demographics and inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, 782 males and 796 females did the UPSIT. In patients aged over 65 years was held the Mini Mental State Examination and excluded those patients with a score less than 24 points for the possibility of dementia. The version of the UPSIT applied in this study was the result of two previous studies to enhance the applicability of this test for the Brazilian population. RESULTS: 1820 volunteers participated in the study, 1578 were included in the normative tables. 242 were excluded on the day of the interview for being with upper airway infection, having an history of head trauma, complaining of smell or taste losses and a score below 24 on the Mini Mental State Examination. It was found that among the 1578 subjects analyzed, the UPSIT scores ranged from 9 to 40, yielding a mean score of 32.1 (SD: 5.3) and a median 33. By univariate analysis (p < 0.01) and multivariate analysis - multiple linear regression-(p < 0.05), it was observed that the age, sex, years of schooling and family monthly income influenced the test scores. CONCLUSIONS: UPSIT is now validated for use in the Brazilian population. Normative tables for olfactory assessment and a fast way to obtain them were demonstrated. Correction factors are needed for a perfect equivalence between norms of all continents, using as gold standard norms of the country where the original version of the test was developed. Worse economic and educational status interfered negatively in olfactory performance