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Visual information processing skills are associated with academic performance in Grade 2 school children
Author(s) -
Hopkins Shelley,
Black Alex A.,
White Sonia L. J.,
Wood Joanne M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.14172
Subject(s) - receiver operating characteristic , linear regression , regression analysis , visual acuity , test (biology) , psychology , medicine , statistics , mathematics , ophthalmology , paleontology , biology
Purpose This study evaluated the association between performance on visual information processing tests and academic performance in school children. Methods Visual‐motor integration ( VMI ), the Developmental Eye Movement ( DEM ) test, visual acuity and stereoacuity were assessed in 222 Grade 2 children (mean age: 7.90 ± 0.33 years). Academic performance was assessed using standardized tests of reading and mathematics ( PAT ‐R and PAT ‐M). Linear regression analyses examined associations between visual information processing ( VMI and DEM ) and academic measures, adjusting for school socio‐economic background and age. Receiver operating characteristic ( ROC ) analysis was used to assess the ability of the tests to identify children with below average academic performance. Results Visual‐motor integration ( VMI ) and DEM (horizontal time) were most strongly associated with PAT ‐R and PAT ‐M. Linear regression models explained 28.6% of variance in PAT ‐R ( VMI : standardized regression coefficient = 0.31, p < 0.01; DEM horizontal time: −0.28, p < 0.01) and 24.1% of variance in PAT ‐M ( VMI : standardized regression coefficient = 0.29, p < 0.01; DEM horizontal time: −0.16, p = 0.02). Receiver operating characteristic ( ROC ) curve analysis indicated that VMI was most strongly associated with below average PAT ‐R (area under curve [AUC] of 0.74 [95% CI : 0.67–0.81]) and PAT ‐M ( AUC of 0.73 [95% CI : 0.66–0.81]). Conclusion Visual‐motor integration ( VMI ) was most strongly associated with reading and mathematics scores in school children. A child's academic performance can be an important factor in their optometric management. The ability of clinical tests to identify children at risk of underachieving academically provides additional support to clinicians in managing their patients.