The current study demonstrated a new CPT, the Children's Continuous Performance Test (C-CPT), created specifically for use with children in the preschool age range. This task, using both auditory and visual stimuli, was modified from those used with older children and adults, and the task length was reduced. One hundred and eighty-seven control children and 18 children clinically referred for attention problems, between the ages of 3 and 6 years, participated in the study. Results suggest that the C-CPT is developmentally appropriate for this age group, since children as young as 3 years old were able to perform task demands and complete all three subtests. Results also indicated a clear developmental trend, showing improved performance with increasing age. Findings obtained from clinically-referred children further substantiate the C-CPT's potential use as a diagnostic tool. Clinical children had extreme difficulty remaining "on task" during test trials, even though they demonstrated understanding on practice trials. They also made far more commission errors and extra hits, suggestive of impulsive responding, than did control children. The C-CPT appears to be a potentially sensitive tool in the evaluation of attention in preschool children.
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