The Diagnostic Validity of the Fifth Edition of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test in Students with Specific Learning Disorder
Keywords:
Diagnostic validity, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fifth edition, Children, Specific learning disorderAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the diagnostic validity of the fifth edition of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-5) in distinguishing children with specific learning disorder from typically developing peers.
Methodology: This methodological and psychometric research included all children with specific learning disorder under the care of the Tehran Exceptional Education Organization who were referred to educational counseling centers. A total of 60 children with specific learning disorder and 60 typically developing children were selected using purposive sampling. The PPVT-5 was administered, and data were analyzed using confidence interval methods along with sensitivity and specificity coefficients to assess diagnostic validity across Forms A and B.
Findings: The results indicated that the mean scores of Form A (82.48) and Form B (83.39) differed significantly from the theoretical mean (100) by less than one standard deviation, confirming the test’s ability to distinguish between clinical and normal groups. Sensitivity and specificity coefficients for Form A were 0.85 and 0.78, respectively, demonstrating satisfactory diagnostic validity. Thus, both forms of the PPVT-5 effectively identified children with specific learning disorder.
Conclusion: The fifth edition of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test possesses acceptable diagnostic validity for identifying children with specific learning disorder and can serve as a reliable tool in exceptional children’s assessment.
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