Abstract:
Visual perception is the ability to identify, organise, make meaning of and provide sense to what is seen in the world in which we live. Visual perceptual skills continuously develop in primary school children as seen in academic performance. If visual perceptual difficulties are unaddressed, the accumulative academic result can be devastating throughout life. Thus, visual perceptual difficulties must be identified using tests that possess sound measurement properties to allow for earlier intervention. The purpose of this research is to determine the construct validity of the Developmental Test of Visual Perception (3rd Edition). The DTVP-3 was designed and standardised in the United States and thus, its measurement properties should be assessed in the cultural contexts where it will be used. Testing whether the DTVP-3 can accurately reflect the abilities of children in Western Australia will ensure that these children’s performance is accurately assessed according to their cultural context. A quantitative cross-sectional exploratory design will be used. Preliminary parametric factor analysis (paired t-test) and correlations (Pearson’s) will be conducted on approximately 80 Western Australian children. This sample size fits within the recommendations of a minimum of 10 cases for each item (five subscales) in the assessment being used. Should these results indicate discrepancies with the standardised data; a further larger study will be initiated. Results will be discussed according to the Model of Visual Skills, Visual Perceptual Skills and Visual Motor Skills. These results will add to the body of knowledge and will provide evidence for confident use of the Developmental Test of Visual Perception (3rd Edition) in Western Australia.