67 Are these familiar words? Analyzing the utility of a new Spanish verbal memory test for children in North Texas

• Published in: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 2023-11, Vol.29 (s1), p.742-743
• Main Authors: Orobio, Jessica, Saenz, Monica Garza, Hernandez, Ana, Canas, Angela, Edgar, Veronica Bordes, McCreary, Morgan, Harder, Lana, Neumann, Joy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessment/Psychometrics/Methods (Child); Children; Children & youth; Cognitive ability; Familiarity; Memory; Neuropsychology; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Poster Session 08: Assessment | Psychometrics | Noncredible Presentations | Forensic; Surveys; Terminology
• ISSN: 1355-6177; 1469-7661
• DOI: 10.1017/S1355617723009256

Objective:The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology’s (AACN) Relevance 2050 Initiative goals highlight the need for new assessment methods that are inclusive of the rising heterogeneous population in the US. In 2022, the Texas Education Agency reported that approximately 20% of the student population in Texas public schools are English learners (ELs), and approximately 90% of them are Spanish-speaking. In an effort to address the need for more Spanish cognitive measures normed in the US, a pediatric neuropsychology research team in North Dallas developed the Spanish Verbal Memory Test for Children (SVMT-C). To assist with establishing its validity, this study aims to corroborate that the words chosen for the list are familiar to children of different cultural backgrounds in North Texas.Participants and Methods:Enrollment of healthy, Spanish-speaking children between 6.0 and 17.11 years old within the Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) metroplex began in January 2022 and continues to date. Study participation entails completing an in-person testing session with the child, while the parent/legal guardian completes a word-related survey along with other forms. The parent survey asks parents to indicate their child’s knowledge of 45 words (15 are target words). The testing session with the child includes completion of several cognitive tests (e.g., SVMT-C, EOWPVT-4:SBE) and a posttest survey that measures the child’s knowledge of the target words on the SVMT-C. The EOWPVT-4:SBE was used to estimate vocabulary level in Spanish to support proficiency determinations.Results:To date, 23 parent-child dyads have participated in the study, and 7 different countries of origin are represented in the overall sample. Data of children who earned SS