The Real Animal Size Test (RAST)

Abstract

Inhibitory control disturbances are reported in numerous developmental and acquired neuropsychological disorders of young children. In this study, a new assessment tool, the Real Animal Size Test (RAST) was tested. It includes four conditions: The first two conditions assess speed of processing and require making quick decisions, by pressing a response key, on the real size of animals and the on-screen size of big or small rectangles; the third and fourth condition (combined into one) require the child to decide the real size of animals displayed in congruent or incongruent size on the screen. Participants in the study were 90 children aged 5–9 years old. The results confirmed that the RAST provides a good measure of inhibitory control in children. In a second experiment, 15 children 5–9 years old with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms (ADHD) participated; the RAST was also administered. The clinical pertinence of the RAST for ADHD symptoms is discussed.