The Austin Assessment
The Austin Assessment breaks down barriers to CVI screening. This validated tool is accessible, engaging for children, and provides immediate results - making it possible for families and professionals to identify children who may have CVI-related visual perceptual difficulties.
While the Austin Assessment is a powerful screening tool, comprehensive CVI evaluation requires a multi-faceted approach including structured history taking, clinical observations, and professional assessment. The Austin Assessment is designed to work as a first step in a complete evaluation process.
What makes the Austin Assessment different
Choose the version that's right for you
The work app
-
For educators, practitioners, clinicians, researchers wanting to screen multiple children
-
Download to iPads or iPhones for free from the App Store
-
Create an account for your team / organisation, unlimited team members
-
Purchase a screening pack (available packs 10, 50, 100, 500)
-
Immediate results synced to Austin Assessment hub, downloadable PDFs
-
Export CSV file
How it works:
1. Download - Download either the Austin Assessment Family App or the Austin Assessment Work App from the App Store. Note: Please see above to determine which app best meets your needs.
​
​
2. Screen - Screen by playing the fun card matching activity - the app will assess visual perceptual abilities while the individual is playing the game.
​
​
3. Results - Receive immediate results indicating whether further CVI assessment may be needed.
​
​
4. Next steps - Get clear guidance on what to do next, whether seeking professional assessment or learning more about CVI.
What does the Austin Assessment measure?
The Austin Assessment uses an engaging card-matching game to evaluate how a child processes visual information. Understanding what we measure helps parents and professionals interpret results effectively.
The Assessment process
The screening consists of two rounds designed to assess visual processing under different conditions:
1. Multi-colored version: Children match pairs of coloured cards
​
2. Single-colored version: Children match pairs in a monochrome setting
Both versions begin with simple four-card layouts and gradually increase in complexity up to twelve cards. This progressive challenge allows the app to identify specific visual processing differences.
Three key variables
The app measures three key variables that help provide insight into a child's visual perceptual abilities:
Overall completion time
How long it takes to complete each round. This helps identify if visual processing requires more time and effort than typically expected.
Matching accuracy
How correctly pairs are matched at each level. This reveals whether the child can accurately process and match visual information.
Dwell time
The time taken to match the first pair at each level. This indicates how quickly the child can locate and process visual information in the scene.
Additional information: The app also gathers information about visual search patterns during the assessment, providing additional insights into how the child processes visual information.
​
For detailed information about the research validation of the Austin Assessment:
How are results determined?
The Austin Assessment has been tested on over 900 children across three age groups, establishing reliable normative ranges for typical visual processing.
Age-based comparison
When your child completes the assessment, their performance is compared to children in their age group (5-8, 9-12, or 13-18 years) across all three variables. This age-specific comparison ensures accurate screening results.
Understanding your results
The results page clearly shows your child's performance with simple indicators:
✓ Performance within the normal range
​
Your child's performance on this variable is typical for their age group.
* Performance outside the normal range
Your child has met a threshold that suggests possible CVI-related visual processing differences. Further professional assessment is recommended.
Important: A child only needs to meet one of the six possible thresholds (across the three variables in both coloured and monochrome rounds) for further assessment to be recommended. This ensures we don't miss children who may benefit from professional evaluation.
Next steps
For detailed information on next steps once a screening has been completed, including what do to if a results show the screening was positive or negative, please click on the link below.
"The Austin Assessment has made me, as a parent, much more aware of how much effort it takes for her to be able to see"
Tonny, Mother of P, who has CVI
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Screening tool, not diagnostic tool
The Austin Assessment is a screening tool only and is not a diagnostic instrument. It is designed to identify children who may benefit from further professional assessment. It cannot and does not diagnose cerebral visual impairment (CVI) or any other medical condition.
No medical advice or clinical support
The Austin McDowell Foundation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or clinical support. We do not replace professional medical or educational services. All information provided is for educational purposes only.
Extensively researched and validated
The Austin Assessment has been rigorously validated through peer-reviewed research to ensure it is reliable, accurate, and appropriate for screening children for CVI-related visual perceptual difficulties.