Pathways to Learning Center

Results

The following are a partial list of testing instruments that are routinely given before starting and after completing the Hemispheric Integration Therapy program at the Pathways to Learning Center. It should be noted that in cases of AD/HD, parents are asked not to give their children their morning doses of medication so that pre and post testing reflect non-medicated children.

The TOVA (tests of variables of attention) is a computer based signal detection test that examines an individual’s ability to hold attention to visual or auditory signals. The test is 20 minutes in duration and comprising four quarters each five minutes in duration. Two quarters comprise a boring task and two quarters comprise a stimulating task. Based upon the results computed as omission or commission errors an individual may show signs suggestive of being either, inattentive, or impulsive. In addition, processing speeds of signal detection are given as well as response time variability.

Woodcock Johnson (WJIII) test of reading fluency: This is a sub set of the Woodcock Johnson achievement battery and is a 3 minute timed test of reading short sentences and answering either yes or no. Based upon the number of sentences read and correct responses, grade equivalent results are calculated based upon the clients age and grade. This is a test of fluency as opposed to reading level where the test indicates the relative speed at which an individual processes reading.

Woodcock Johnson (WJIII) tests of Math fluency: This is a sub set of the Woodcock Johnson achievement battery and is a 3 minute timed test of math problems of addition, subtraction and some multiplication. Based upon the number of problems solved, grade equivalent results are calculated based upon the client’s age and grade. This is a test of fluency as opposed to math level where the test indicates the relative speed at which an individual processes math.

As can be seen utilizing the WJIII reading and math fluency test, there is significant documented improvement in reading and math fluency.

HIT and Attention Deficit Disorder

In a sample of 26 children who have undergone HIT at Pathways to Learning Center and who have been diagnosed with attention deficits by their doctors, ages ranging from 7 – 19 years old, the results of the TOVA was consistent with the diagnosis. The sample is further divided by type of attention deficit as follows;

6 children ADD predominantly Inattentive Type
14 children ADD predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
6 children ADD Combined Type

All TOVA results are given in standard scores (SS) where any SS below 85 is considered a deviant result and outside the normal range for that age group.

Utilizing the TOVA, excessive Omission errors are considered to be a measure of inattention. Individuals with ADD inattentive type routinely have excessive omission errors.

Excessive commission errors are considered to be a measure of impulsivity or disinhibition.

Children with ADD Hyperactive-Impulsive Type routinely have excessive commission errors.

Children with ADD Combined Type routinely have both excessive omission and commission errors.

The results in this sample indicate that the 6 children with ADD Inattentive Type had average omission errors

of 61.0 SS before therapy. After 20 sessions of HIT the average Omission errors improved to 97.0 SS putting them in the normal range. The average improvement was +35 SS.

14 children with ADD Hyperactive-Impulsive Type had average commission errors of 53.5 SS before therapy. After 20 sessions of HIT the average commission errors improved to 98.35 SS putting them well within the normal range. The average improvement was +44.85 SS.

6 children with ADD Combined Type had average omission/commission errors of 68.35/56.2 respectively before therapy. After 20 sessions of HIT the average omission/commission errors were 95.35/97.75 respectively putting them well within the normal range. The average improvement was +27/+41.55 omission to commission errors.

As can be seen, all three groups showed significant improvement from outside the normal range to well within the normal range. In many cases in cooperation with the treating pediatrician, medication was reduced or eliminated. 

The results shown above are consistent with a high percentage of children who complete HIT at Pathways to Learning Center.

There are other indicators that are measured with the TOVA such as response time and response time variability. For simplicity, those indicators were not discussed although similar improvements were also seen.