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NIH Toolbox executive function measures with developmental extensions: Reliability and validity with preschoolers in
Rebecca Distefano1, Aria E Fiat2, Jillian S Merrick3
1Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Summary
Brief tablet-based executive function (EF) assessments, including developmental extensions, show promise for evaluating young children experiencing adversity. These tools offer valid and reliable measures for diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Cognitive Psychology
- Educational Technology
Background:
- Executive function (EF) skills are crucial for resilience in at-risk preschoolers.
- Existing EF assessments often require extensive testing batteries, limiting field applicability.
- There is a need for brief, reliable EF measures suitable for diverse young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the validity and test-retest reliability of two tablet-based EF tasks with developmental extensions (Dext) from the NIH Toolbox.
- To evaluate the utility of Dext versions in improving task accessibility for younger and disadvantaged children.
- To examine the performance of Dext EF measures in a sample of preschoolers experiencing risk.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-six preschoolers in emergency housing completed tablet-based DCCS-Dext and Flanker-Dext tasks across two sessions one week apart.
- Participants also completed a tabletop EF task (Peg-Tapping) and measures of vocabulary and numeracy.
- Analysis focused on construct and criterion validity, and test-retest reliability of the Dext EF measures.
Main Results:
- The majority of participants utilized the Dext portion of the DCCS, and nearly half used the Flanker-Dext, highlighting the need for these extensions.
- Dext EF measures demonstrated positive associations with Peg-Tapping (construct validity) and math achievement (criterion validity), controlling for age and vocabulary.
- Moderate test-retest reliability was observed for both DCCS-Dext and Flanker-Dext over a one-week interval.
Conclusions:
- Developmental extensions (Dext) enhance the accessibility and utility of NIH Toolbox EF tasks for diverse young children, including those facing adversity.
- Tablet-based EF assessments with Dext versions provide valid and reliable measures suitable for field research with at-risk populations.
- These findings support the use of Dext EF measures for better understanding and supporting cognitive development in vulnerable preschoolers.
