Scale Construction and Initial Validation for the Detection of Students with Specific Learning Disabilities

Abstract

New trends in research on Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) highlight the importance of having instruments for their early detection in the classroom context, considering the role of teachers in the identification of issues in their students’ basic learning. The aim of this paper is to analyse the preliminary psychometric properties of Escala para la Detección de Alumnado con Dificultades Específicas de Aprendizaje (Scale for Detection of Students with Specific Learning Disabilities) -EDDEA, designed to detect the risk and/or presence of reading and writing difficulties in children aged 3 to 8 years. The scale reliability was obtained applying McDonald’s Omega (ωt) and PERMANOVA was used to obtain evidence of criterion validity. Excellent internal consistency levels and accurate validity levels were obtained, highlighting sensitivity and specificity values. EDDEA characteristics support its utility to be employed as a reliable and valid tool for early detection and prevention of SLD.