Applicability of the hooper visual organization test to pediatric populations: Preliminary findings

Abstract

The Hooper Visual Organization Test (VOT) has been widely used with adults to screen for brain pathology and assess visual-constructional abilities; however, there has been relatively little attempt to utilize this instrument with children. In the present study, normative data from children between the ages of 5 and 11 years (n = 207) and data from a mixed clinical group (n = 49) between the ages of 6 and 11 were obtained. In the normative sample, VOT scores were significantly correlated with age but not gender. The distribution and internal consistency of these normative VOT scores are discussed. Data obtained from the clinical group suggested that VOT scores were related to performances on measures of visual-spatial functions but generally not on tests of verbal skills. Similar to reports in the adult literature, a control group selected from the normative sample performed significantly better on the VOT than did the mixed clinical group. In general, these preliminary data suggest that the VOT may be a useful clinical instrument in assessing children.