Development and Validation of the NIH Toolbox Version 3.0 for Children

Objective: The NIH Toolbox (NIHTB) Cognition Battery (CB) is an iPad-based measurement system designed for individuals 3 years old and above. This battery recently underwent re-norming for Version 3 of the measurement system. The primary goals of this norming study were to expand the number of measures to improve construct coverage, improve the usability and accessibility, and develop new scores, composites, and normative values. Method: As part of a larger norming study, a nationally representative US sample of n = 2,248 individuals from 3 to 17 years old was recruited to complete the NIHTB-CB measures. Separate sub-samples of participants also completed external batteries (Wechsler Scales) for validation purposes or the NIHTB-CB a second time for test-retest reliability. Here, we report the psychometric properties of the measure-level and composite scores, which include correlations between score performance and demographic factors (e.g., age), empirical and composite reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent and divergent validity with the external battery scores. Results: All scores showed reliable changes with age, moderate to strong test-retest reliability, and high empirical or composite reliability. Scores showed moderate to strong correlations with their closest convergent construct and showed weak to negligible correlations with divergent constructs, as measured by the Wechsler scales, indicating construct validity evidence. Conclusions: The measure-level and composite scores for NIHTB-CB are highly reliable and valid measures for children age 3 to 17 years of age, and they are recommended for use by clinicians, researchers, and educators.Keywords: Psychology, Child; Child Development; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychometrics; Cognition; Executive Control (Executive Function), Age Factors; Reference Standards (Reference Values)