Any treatment program for attention disorders needs a baseline understanding of the patient and the ability to track treatment progress objectively. T.O.V.A., which stands for Test of Variability of Attention, provides just such a method. It measures how people respond to a long boring test. This is important because people with attention problems can usually stay focused on highly stimulating activities like playing a video game they often lose attention in slower situations such as focusing on a teacher in the classroom.
There are dozens of peer-reviewed papers on the T.O.V.A.
“T.O.V.A. testing gives us a powerful method to document and provide proof that a child is responding to treatment. It’s another tool to take the guess work out of ADHD and ADD. It gives everyone involved a sense of reassurance that we are on the right track.”
– Dr. Serpe
What does T.O.V.A. actually test?
- Reaction Time Variability – This is a measure of consistency. People with attention disorders tend to not be consistent in their responses
- Reaction Time – People with attention disorders tend to respond to stimuli slower than normal
- Commission Errors – demonstrates impulsivity
- The test can be administered for visual and/or auditory processing
How long does the test take? T.O.V.A. can measure for visual and/or auditory attention disorders. Each test take approximately 20 minutes.
Is there a minimum age for testing? Our office will test children as young as 6 years old. The test is standardized for both children and adults.
When is T.O.V.A. testing first performed? Testing is administered once your have agreed to begin a care plan in our office. Dr. Serpe uses this information to further develop your child’s care plan.
What happens once the test is performed? A report is produced and analyzed by Dr. Serpe. Dr. Serpe uses this information in conjunction with other testing to formulate a care plan and judge treatment progress. You will also receive a copy of this report for your records. The report is suitable for communicating to teachers, psychologists and other physicians regarding your child’s level of attention.
How often is the test performed? Generally the test is repeated every 3 months to document progress.
How much does the test cost? Please contact our office for information regarding our current pricing. T.O.V.A. testing is not part of our initial 2 free visit screening offer.
If you would like to learn more about how T.O.V.A. testing can benefit your child please contact our office to reserve your appointment time. Our number is 630-357-2299.
To learn more visit: www.tovatest.com
