Introduction
The tests that I selected include the motivation assessment scale (MAS), assessment of basic language and learning skills, revised (ABLLS-R), and verbal behavior milestone assessment and placement program (VB-MAPP). The publisher’s website showcases that the VB-MAPP is a significantly utilized language and social capability analysis program for toddlers suffering from intellectual disabilities, including autism (Sundberg, 2022). The VB-MAPP offers healthcare practitioners and guardians the necessary database for developing individualized education programs (IEPs) targeting the right skills at the correct time.
All the measurements help people suffering from intellectual disorders improve their behaviors. At the same time, the publisher’s website indicates that MAS helps people with language impairment problems conduct (“The Motivation”, 2021). On the other hand, the publisher’s website suggests that the ABLLS-R is an appraisal instrument, curriculum manual, and capability-monitoring system deployed to assist guide language instructions and essential learner skills for autistic children (“Autism Products”, 2022). The population I chose includes children with autism disorder. For the three tests, the specific characteristics chosen include verbal delays, decreased motivation, and deteriorated learner skills for toddlers with autism and other intellectual disorders. Creating behavioral plans and learning more about students with autism helps develop impactful interventions to enhance their language, skills, and conduct.
Evaluation of Test Materials, Costs, and Administration Times
Test Items and Formats
For each test, certain materials must be available even though they are not similar in all measurements. For the ABLLS-R, the main format for the test items is the assessment protocol and the IEP development guide. The test items for the ABLLS-R include self-help and motor skills, language prowess, and academic capability (Usry et al., 2018). The format for the VB-MAPP is a questionnaire with several components, such as barriers assessment, transition analysis, task and skills tracking, placement, and IEP goals (Sundberg, 2022). The test items in the VB-MAPP include adaptability to change, independent work, group learning, language, and social skills. The format of the MAS test is a questionnaire rated by third-party participants, such as direct-care staff members, guardians, and tutors. The test items for MAS include balanced sitting, hand movements, walking, standing, and upper-arm functions.
Available Formats of the Tests
The available format for the VB-MAPP is the hand-written paper copy, printed and submitted to the psychologists to help children with autism. Another alternative format for the VB-MAPP is computer apps to ensure the tests can be delivered and administered effectively at home, in the clinic, and in school. In addition, the present formats for the MAS test include paper, the web, and online forms to help children with autism participate in the standardized tests (Montallana et al., 2019). Regarding the ABLLS-R, the available formats for the test are paper copies and audio-visual guides.
Available Materials and Costs of the Test Kits, Manuals, and Other Materials
For the ABLLS-R, the required materials are protocol guides, booklets, and online testing equipment. The available materials for the MAS include manuals, test kits, and software, while the VB-MAPP-required materials are intervention guides, scoring software, and measurement kits. Concerning the ABLLS-R materials, the price of protocol guides is $64, online test kits are $30, and booklets are $50 (“Autism Products”, 2022). For the VB-MAPP, the cost of manuals is $70, test kits are $80, and scoring software is $90 (Sundberg, 2022). However, for the MAS test, the cost of manuals is $90, and that of scoring software is $500 (Montallana et al., 2019). The price determination of the materials helps establish how services will be administered to help children with intellectual disabilities.
Average Administration Times and the Evaluation of Item Formats, Cost, and Test Materials
All three tests have different administration periods to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities benefit effectively. For the VB-MAPP, the average administration time is 10 hours, depending on how the toddler socializes with the therapist during the assessment (Montallana et al., 2019). Regarding the MAS test, it takes 15 minutes to administer via the questionnaire format (Faith et al., 2020). The average administration period for the ABLLS-R is 7 hours, depending on the child’s functional level and age (Usry et al., 2018). The three tests would be feasible in my chosen discipline of applied behavior assessment. The VB-MAPP takes the longest administration time compared to MAS and ABLLS-R. However, the VB-MAPP can be implemented via multiple sessions to make the analysis readily available to the psychologist. Since the ABLLS-R has highly costly item materials ($590), such as scoring software, therapists can deploy either VB-MAPP or MAS, which are cheap to ensure students are assisted quickly (“Autism Products”, 2022). The item formats for the three tests entail paper copies; each has web apps or audio-visuals that help minimize the time spent receiving healthcare services. Lastly, the test materials, including test kits, scoring software, manuals, and interpretation guides of the VB-MAPP, MAS, and ABLLS-R, help the therapist develop administration and behavioral plans.
Evaluation of Scoring Procedures and Interpretation Guidelines
Types of Scores
The VB-MAPP, MAS, and ABLLS-R have different scoring criteria for each administered test. The VB-MAPP scores include timed observation and direct testing, where the items are scored correctly if the adult notices a particular behavior. Regarding the MAS, the type of score is a 7-point Likert scale sheet, while that of ABLLS-R is via direct observation (Montallana et al., 2019). These scores help determine whether a child with autism has improved their conduct.
Scoring Procedures
Notably, all three tests deploy various scoring procedures, which are familiar to healthcare practitioners. The MAS scoring algorithm starts with assessing all items using a 7-point scale from 0 to 6, where a score of 6 showcases optimal motor conduct (Faith et al., 2020). Afterward, each motivation’s total and mean score are calculated, and the relative ranking is determined. On the other hand, the scoring procedure for VB-MAPP is that scores of 0, ½, and 1 points are allocated for every skill in every assessment category (Montallana et al., 2020). After that, the total score is established and reported to the scoring system. Concerning the ABLLS-R, each activity item is presented with a distinct row with identical column headers. The child’s skills are allocated scores from 0 to 4 based on the mastery prowess of their capabilities (Usry et al., 2018). The total ratings are transferred to the tracking system grids, whereby the respondent shades the boxes corresponding to a toddler’s rate for every task item.
Interpretation Guidelines
Regarding the ABLLS-R, the high scores indicate that the student has a high mastery of skills. Therefore, the interpretation guidelines for the therapist and parents is that when the scores are below four, it suggests that the child with autism has not gained new skills or improved their earlier capabilities (Faith et al., 2020). On the other hand, concerning MAS, when a toddler scores all 6 points overall, it indicates that they have improved their intelligent behavior (Montallana et al., 2019). When a child has high scores in VB-MAPP, it showcases they are learning new skills during the protocol assessment.
Evaluation of the Scoring Procedures
By evaluating the scoring procedure, the VB-MAPP is feasible for a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) specialization as it has scores identifying potential treatment plan goals. In addition, by analyzing the MAS test, the assessment is viable for the BCBA professionalism since it attempts to help healthcare practitioners learn the functioning of the child’s behavior. The scoring procedure of the ABLLS-R is feasible in the BCBA field as it enables therapists to instruct and monitor children with autism effectively.
Evaluation of Test Technology
Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation of Technology
Technology continues to evolve daily, requiring people to learn new skills to remain effective in their workplace. Several publishers have different administration, scoring, and interpretation technologies for each test. The MAS deploys software and a web-grounded application, ABLLS-R uses a web-based version, and the VB-MAPP has established an app for those utilizing their test (Montallana et al., 2019). The technologies are promoted on the publisher’s pages and are crucial in tracking and instructing children with developmental disabilities
Technology Evaluation
The MAS testing using web-based applications and software technology assists BCBA in teaching the test. The ABLLS-R’s web-grounded version helps in reducing time consumption for school administrators, BCBAs, and guardians (“Autism Products”, 2022). On the other hand, the VB-MAPP’s app assists the BCBAs in ensuring a child with autism is progressing effectively and helps in establishing and scoring the toddler’s responses by developing viable behavioral plans.
Conclusion
The selected tests include the MAS, the ABLLS-R, and the VB-MAPP, which help the BCBA to instruct and monitor children with autism and develop effective behavioral and intervention guidelines. Regarding the technology, the MAS utilizes software and a web-grounded application. ABLLS-R deploys a web-based version, and the VB-MAPP has established an app for those utilizing their test. In the BCBA profession, learning about the child’s behavior is essential as it enables healthcare practitioners to assess their daily intellectual needs.
References
Autism products and teaching tools. (2022). Different Roads to Learning. Web.
Faith, L. A., Lecomte, T., Corbière, M., Francoeur, A., Hache-Labelle, C., & Lysaker, P. H. (2020). Metacognition is uniquely related to concurrent and prospective assessments of negative symptoms independent of verbal memory in serious mental illness. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 208(11), 837-842. Web.
Montallana, K. L., Gard, B. M., Lotfizadeh, A. D., & Poling, A. (2019). Inter-rater agreement for the milestones and barriers assessments of the verbal behavior milestones assessment and placement program (VB-MAPP). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(5), 2015-2023. Web.
Sundberg, M. L. (2022). AVB press is the official publisher of the VB-MAPP. AVB Press. Web.
The motivation assessment scale. (2021). Monaco and Associates Incorporated. Web.
Usry, J., Partington, S. W., & Partington, J. W. (2018). Using expert panels to examine the content validity and inter-rater reliability of the ABLLS-R. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 30(1), 27-38. Web.