Utility of the Koppitz norms for the Bender Gestalt Test performance of a group of Sesotho-speaking children.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the utility of the Koppitz administration, scoring and norms for the Bender Gestalt Test (BGT) as a neurocognitive screening instrument for Sesotho-speaking children. METHOD The BGT protocols of 671 Sesotho-speaking children between the ages of seven and nine were reviewed. Data pertaining to socioeconomic status were also gathered for 360 of the participants. The BGT performance of the Sesotho sample was compared to that of the original Koppitz norm group. Furthermore, the two groups were compared with regard to their respective age-related rates of improvement in BGT performance. The effects of gender and socioeconomic status on the BGT performance of the Sesotho group were also investigated. RESULTS The Sesotho-speaking group incurred a significantly higher number of errors, compared to the Koppitz norm group. Moreover, the Sesotho group exhibited no age-related improvement in their BGT performance. Socioeconomic status showed no effect on the group's BGT performance, while age only showed a significant effect within the nine-year-old group. CONCLUSIONS The BGT exhibits limited utility as a screening instrument for neurocognitive impairment amongst Sesotho-speaking children. Limitations of the current study are highlighted and suggestions are made regarding future directions for research.