Language is a tool that allows us to communicate, to express our desires and opinions, as well as to describe reality. Therefore, it is of vital importance to evaluate it, especially in childhood and in those cases where it may be altered.

Here we will learn about Renzi and Vignolo’s Test Token , a test that evaluates a very specific but fundamental function, verbal comprehension or receptive language. In addition, it also allows us to evaluate other cognitive aspects, as we will see later on.

Renzi and Vignolo token test: characteristics

The Token Test was developed by Ennio De Renzi and Luigi Vignolo in 1962. In 1979 it was adapted and standardized. On the other hand, De Renzi and Faglioni made a short version in 1978 of 36 items.

This is a test widely used in clinical practice and research to explore verbal understanding of commands of increasing complexity. This is due to its easy administration, application, correction and analysis, and its high sensitivity to detect linguistic difficulties in various pathologies. In addition, its design is quite simple. It is applied at ages between 6 years and 11 years and 11 months.

Initially, in 1962, the Token Test was introduced in Italian by De Renzi and Vignolo as an instrument that detects mild receptive language disorders in aphasiacs .

Structure

The De Renzi and Vignolo token test consists of 20 tokens of five colors (red, blue, green, yellow, white), two shapes (circles, squares) and two sizes (large, small), which are manipulated by the subject according to the examiner’s verbal commands . The examiner will read each command while the subject tries to comply.

They are organized in 5 sections of instructions, ordered in an increasing degree of complexity according to the number of operations needed to solve the task. In total there are 62 orders/instructions.

Functions you evaluate

Its progressive application allows us to determine, from the subject’s responses, the presence or absence of certain cognitive functions, but basically evaluates receptive language (comprehension) . It can also detect the presence of some functional or organic pathology (always according to the experience and knowledge of the assessor).

On the other hand, Renzi and Vignolo’s Token Test may be useful to assess aspects of other cognitive areas such as the integrity of working memory, or other functions such as immediate memory, short term and remote memory, relational thinking, object stability and others.

The basic feature of the Renzi and Vignolo token test is that the understanding of each word of the verbal order is indispensable to accomplish the task . In other words, the progression is not repetitive, since each instruction needs to be decoded correctly to be executed.

Application

During the application of the test, the examinee should not fix his eyes on the examiner’s lips. On the other hand, before passing the test, the examiner must determine if the person knows the colors to be used, as well as the shapes .

The examiner should explain to the subject that they will be asked to perform different activities with the cards. In addition, he or she should listen well because he or she will ask you to do each activity only once. Finally, the examiner will ask you if you are ready to start.

As we have seen, the test is composed of 5 parts; if the examinee makes 8 mistakes in the first part, the test is suspended. If he doesn’t make them, the 5 parts are administered. All items are given a correct (+) or incorrect (-) score.

Material

The material that makes up the De Renzi and Vignolo token test is: the application and interpretation manual, a set of 20 wooden tokens, a workbook, a block of protocols, sets of response and stimulus cards and note sheets.

Uses in clinical and educational practice

The De Renzi and Vignolo token test can be used as a general orientation test, but also, and according to the examiner’s experience, as a complementary use with other more specific and deeper tests of the linguistic functions, as well as for other purposes (if the examiner has enough experience).

Bibliographic references:

  • De Renzi, E. and Vignolo, L. (1962) The Token Test; a sensitive test to detect receptive disturbances in aphasics. Brain, 85, 665 – 678.
  • Estay, G. Token Chips Test. BIOPSIQUEEL EDITORIAL.
  • Buela-Casal, G.; Sierra, J.C. (1997). Manual de evaluación psicológica. Siglo XXI. Madrid