Brazilian version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test: preliminary data

Abstract

Receptive-auditory vocabulary in children aged 2y6m-18y with communication impairments may be assessed via Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). Two preliminary studies aiming at its Brazilian normatization are described. In study 1 PPVT was collectively applied in the classroom to a sample of 687 from preschool to 8th grade from a public school in Rio de Janeiro. Scores were sensitive to age and school levels, and to the levels of father’s income and mother’s education. Simple scores were as good as floor-ceiling ones. In study 2 PPVT was applied individually to a sample of 250 from nursery to 3rd level of preschool of two schools, public and private, in Sao Paulo. Scores were sensitive to age and school levels, and positively correlated to expressive vocabulary. Performance was affected by parents’ socio-economic status from 2y6m-5y6m, and by school type (private school best) from 5y6m-6y6m.