Development, Validity and Reliability of the Preschool Learning Skills Scale: A Tool for Early Identification of Preschooler at Risk of Learning Disorder in Mainland China (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengmeng Yao ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Panting Liu ◽  
Yachun Xie ◽  
Yanru Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Children At Risk ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Learning Skills ◽  
Behavior Rating Inventory ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

BACKGROUND Early identification of children at risk of learning disorder (LD) may mitigate the negative effects of delayed intervention by guiding children to receive preventive services at an earlier age. However, there is no assessment tool for early identification of children at risk of LD in Mainland China. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to create a Chinese version of the Preschool Learning Skills Scale and to investigate its validity and reliability. METHODS Firstly, a pilot scale was designed based on literature review and expert review. Secondly, a pre-survey of the pilot scale was conducted. In phase 3, a formal survey was carried out to test the reliability and validity of the scale by involving 2678 preschool children from 7 kindergartens into it. Data was collected using a checklist for demographic characteristics, the preschool learning skills scale(PLSS), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P), and Conners’ Rating Scales. RESULTS The final scale included 38 items under 7 factors. The reliability tests confirmed that the Cronbach’s alpha, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability coefficient of the PLSS was 0.946, 0.905 and 0.941. As to construct validity, the Spearman correlations of factor-total score ranged from 0.691 to 0.859. The results of criterion-related validity showed a direct and significant association between the PLSS with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (r = 0.643, P< 0.001) and Conners’ Rating Scales (r = 0.652, P< 0.001). The model had a good fit [CFI = 0.910, TLI = 0.901, RMSEA = 0.047, and SRMR = 0.038]. CONCLUSIONS Findings demonstrate that the PLSS has a good internal validity, good test–retest reliability, and acceptable construct validity, which indicates that the scale can be used for early identification of preschool children at risk of LD.

scholarly journals What are the risk factors for admission to the pediatric intensive unit among pediatric patients with COVID-19?

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Esposito ◽  
Fabio Caramelli ◽  
Nicola Principi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Ventricular Function ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Children At Risk ◽  
Heart Involvement

Abstract Background Although with exceptions, evidence seems to indicate that children have lower susceptibility than adults to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. When infected, children generally remain asymptomatic or develop mild disease. A small number of pediatric cases required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), respiratory support with a mechanical ventilation and additional life-saving interventions. Even if rarely, death can occur. Aim of this manuscript is to highlight the risk factors associated with severe outcome among pediatric patients with COVID-19. Main findings Early identification of SARS-CoV-2-infected children at risk of developing severe COVID-19 is vital for service planning, as severely affected pediatric patients require high-quality care and should be followed only where an adequately structured PICU is available. However, early identification of children who must be carefully monitored for substantial risk of severe COVID-19 remains difficult. An underlying comorbidity and heart involvement are frequently observed in severe paediatric cases. Reduced left ventricular systolic function with an ejection fraction < 60%; diastolic dysfunction; and arrhythmias, including ST segment changes, QTc prolongation, and premature atrial or ventricular beat, are the earliest manifestations of heart involvement. Inclusion of heart enzyme serum levels and evaluation of ventricular function among predictive markers could lead to a more effective evaluation of children at risk with proper selection of those to admit to the PICU and with more adequate treatment in case of more severe clinical manifestations. Conclusions To appropriately manage severe pediatric COVID-19 cases, greater attention should be paid to risk factors in children and adolescents, especially to cardiovascular alterations (e.g., heart enzyme serum levels and evaluation of ventricular function). Further studies are needed and the development of a validated score based on all the most common presumed markers of disease severity seems essential.

Validity and Reliability of Gifted Rating Scales-School Form in Sample of Teachers and Parents – A Czech Contribution

2020 ◽  
pp. 073428292097071
Author(s):  
Michal Jabůrek ◽  
Adam Ťápal ◽  
Šárka Portešová ◽  
Steven I. Pfeiffer
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Teacher Rating ◽  
Halo Effect ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Alternative Models ◽  
Teachers And Parents ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

The factor structure, the concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability of the Czech translation of the Gifted Rating Scales-School Form [GRS-S; Pfeiffer, S. I., & Jarosewich, T. (2003). GRS (gifted rating scales) - manual. Pearson] were evaluated. Ten alternative models were tested. Four models were found to exhibit acceptable fit and interpretability. The factor structure was comparable for both parent ( n = 277) and teacher raters ( n = 137). High correlations between the factors suggest that raters might be subject to a halo effect. Ratings made by teachers show a closer relationship with criteria (WJ IE II COG, CFT 20-R, and TIM3–5) than ratings made by parents. Test–retest reliability of teacher rating (with median 93 days) was quite high for all GRS-S subscales ( r = .84–.87).

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