A Review of the Non-Motoric Visual Gestalt Test and a Comparison with the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test

Abstract

Measures of visual perception, such as the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (BVMGT) usually require motoric responding; i.e., drawing of figures. To what extent motoric responses affect the Bender's ability to measure visual discrimination is examined. An alternative test, the Non-Motoric Visual Gestalt Test (NVGT), is compared with the BVMGT and shown to be superior in measuring visual-perceptual abilities that can discriminate poor and average second grade readers. The NVGT is described, and a table of age equivalents (based on NVGT normative data) offered for easier scoring of individual protocols. A clinical case is described where the NVGT demonstrated value as a diagnostic instrument

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bortner, M. Perceptual skills and early reading disability. In L. Mann & D. A. Sabatino (eds.), The second review of special education. Philadelphia: JSE Press, 1974.

Chalfant, J. , & Scheffelin, M. Central processing dysfunction in children. NINDS Monograph No. 9, USOE , 1968.

Crary, H.L. , & Ridgway, R.W. Relationships between visual form perception abilities in reading achievement in the intermediate grades. Journal of Experimental Education , 1971, 40, 17-22.

Elovitz, G.E. A. comparison of the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test, the Embedded Bender Designs Test, and the Non-Motoric Visual Gestalt Test as correlates of reading achievement. Unpublished masters thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, 1977.

Ensminger, E.E. , & Sullivan, M.M. Information-processing models applied to educating handicapped children. In L. Mann & D. A. Sabatino (Eds.), The second review of special education. Philadelphia: JSE Press, 1974.

Foster, G.G. , Reese, J.H. , Schmidt, C.R. , & Ohrtman, W.F. Modality preference and the learning of sight words. Journal of Special Education, 1976, 10, 253-258.

Foster, G.G. , & Sabatino, D.A. Non-Motoric Visual Gestalt Test. State College, PA: Model Learning Disability Systems , 1976.

Koppitz, E.M. The bender gestalt test for young children, Vol. II. New York: Grune & Stratton, 1975 .

Olson, K. Motoric and visual discrimination components of the bender gestalt . Unpublished masters thesis, The Pennsylvania State University , 1972.

10.

Salvia, J. & Yesseldyke, J.E. Assessment in special and remedial education . Boston: Houghton Mifflin, Co. , 1978, 304.

11.

Vernon, M.D. Varieties of deficiency in the reading process. Harvard Educational Review, 1977, 47, 396-409.

12.

Ysseldyke, J.E. , & Salvia, J. Diagnostic-prescriptive teaching: Two models. Exceptional Children, 1974, 41, 181-186, 490.