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Objective: The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) is one of the most widely used tests for the assessment of learning and memory in the visual/spatial domain. The aim of this study was to use multiple regression to derive normative data for the use of BVMT-R in an Italian population. Method: We employed a regression-based norms procedure to maximally utilize a relatively small sample while controlling for a variety of demographic factors in addition to age. Additionally, we used these norms to compare the performance of Italian healthy controls with patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), thereby providing evidence of the method’s validity. Results: A total of 200 healthy volunteers and 70 MS patients participated in this study and completed the BVMT-R according to the published procedures. Regression-based norms were generated for the Italian sample and are presented herein. Conclusions: Using these norms, the performance of the MS patients was found to be significantly wors...

The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (GARS-2) is a widely used screening instrument that assists in the identification and diagnosis of autism. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure, internal consistency, and screening sensitivity of the GARS-2 using ratings from special education teaching staff for a sample of 240 individuals with autism or other significant developmental disabilities. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a correlated three-factor solution similar to that found in 2005 by Lecavalier for the original GARS. Though the three factors appeared to be reasonably consistent with the intended constructs of the three GARS-2 subscales, the analysis indicated that more than a third of the GARS-2 items were assigned to the wrong subscale. Internal consistency estimates met or exceeded standards for screening and were generally higher than those in previous studies. Screening sensitivity was .65 and specificity was .81 for the Autism Index using a cut score of 85. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for instrument revision.