APPLICABILITY OF DEVELOPMENTAL TEST OF VISUAL PERCEPTION 2 EDITION (DTVP-2) IN ASSESSING VISUAL PERCEPTUAL ABILITY AMONG 5 TO 6 YEARS MALAYSIAN CHILDREN

Abstract

The Developmental Test of Visual Perception, Second Edition (DTVP-2), is widely used in Malaysia despite the release of the updated third edition in 2014. Its applicability in non-American populations has been questioned, particularly due to cultural and normative differences. This study aimed to examine the applicability of the DTVP-2 among 76 English-speaking Malaysian children aged 5 to 6 years. The study further explored gender bias and investigated whether the ceiling rules influenced test performance. The DTVP-2 was administered according to both the recommended procedure and a modified procedure in which ceiling rules were removed for motor-reduced subtests. Results showed no significant gender bias across most subtests and composite scores, except for a minor difference in the Position in Space subtest under modified procedures (p = .025). However, significant variations were found between the Malaysian children and the American normative sample across all subtests (p < .001). Paired t-test analysis revealed higher General Visual Perception (GVP) scores under the modified procedure (M = 95.16, SD = 7.11) compared to the recommended procedure (M = 87.95, SD = 7.24), t(75) = -24.23, p < .001. These findings suggest that while the DTVP-2 is free from gender bias in the Malaysian context, reliance on American norms may either overestimate or underestimate children’s abilities. Additionally, ceiling rules may prematurely truncate assessment outcomes, masking true potential. The study highlights the need for cultural adaptation and re-standardisation of visual perceptual assessments in Malaysia.