The use of the QNST–II as a measure for the identification of children with perceptual‐motor deficits

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the ability of the Quick Neurological Screening Test QNST II) (Mutti et al., 1998) to discriminate between children with and without perceptual-motor deficits and to further clarify its psychometric characteristics. Ninety-four children aged six to seven years were tested on the QNST-II. Out of this pool of subjects, 63 children had perceptual-motor deficits and 31 were typical controls. The children with perceptual-motor deficits scored significantly lower than the control children on the total score and on each of the subtest' s scores of the QNST II. Inter-rater reliability indicated a high degree of correlation between both evaluators' total scores of the QNST II. In terms of the test' s sensitivity and specificity, QNST II scores correctly classified 97% of the children with perceptual-motor deficits and 84% of the children from the control group. The findings of this study support the capability of the QNST II to discriminate between children with perceptual-motor deficits and typical children; thereby suggesting its usefulness as a screening measure to identify children at risk for difficulties in school performance.

Reliability and validity of the assessment of neurological soft‐signs in children with and without attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder

“…Another widely used test is the Quick Neurological Screening Test. Parush et al 31 have studied reliability and validity aspects of the Quick Neurological Screening Test. In their study, interrater reliability was 0.89 and test–retest reliability was 0.63, and therefore had comparable interrater and lower test–retest reliability than our results for the NSS examination.…”

Soft neurological signs and prenatal alcohol exposure: a population‐based study in remote Australia

“…No other studies in PAE were found for comparison, although two studies were found in related populations. In one study the QNST‐2 discriminated between children ( n =94) with perceptual‐motor deficits (often reported in children with FASD) compared with children with typical development. In the second study, children ( n =23) with Developmental Coordination Disorder had a mean QNST‐2 Total Score within the ‘moderate discrepancy’ category (6th–24th centile) category.…”

“…This standardized, norm‐referenced instrument was chosen because it is recommended in FASD diagnostic guidelines and used in FASD clinics in North America. It is a well validated tool with high sensitivity (97%) and specificity (84%) that has been shown to be a useful screening tool strongly predictive of school performance and learning difficulty . The QNST‐2 comprises 15 tests (Fig.…”

“…It is a well validated tool with high sensitivity (97%) and specificity (84%) that has been shown to be a useful screening tool strongly predictive of school performance and learning difficulty. 17 The QNST-2 comprises 15 tests ( Fig. 1), based on traditional neurological examination and developmental scales.…”