Online MOXO Tests for Families During Relocation; Attention Assessment Even When Living Far from Home

MOXO is a computerized performance test used as an aid in assessing attention and concentration.

When the version authorized for remote administration is used, the test can be conducted in a suitable environment, subject to the technical requirements and administration procedures of the test provider.

The option of remote administration may be significant for families living in areas where access to Hebrew-speaking professionals is limited.

It is important to distinguish between taking the test itself and diagnosing ADHD. The test provides additional information, but does not constitute a medical or clinical diagnosis on its own.

One of the unique challenges for families during relocation is distinguishing between an attention difficulty and a difficulty arising from coping with a new language. A child attending an international school may invest considerable effort in understanding instructions, following lessons and participating in discussions. When a substantial portion of cognitive resources is devoted to deciphering the language, fatigue, slower performance and avoidance of tasks may appear. As part of the assessment, it is therefore important to examine how the child functions in their mother tongue as well, rather than relying only on their achievements at the new school.

The educational staff may have important information about the child’s academic and social functioning. However, education systems differ in teaching methods, the level of independence expected of students and how they interpret behaviors. For example, a quiet student who does not participate in discussions may be perceived as lacking motivation, even though they are actually afraid of making mistakes in English. Conversely, a student who asks many questions may do so to make sure they have understood the instructions, rather than necessarily because of an attention difficulty. It is therefore important to ask teachers for concrete behavioral examples, rather than settling for general descriptions.

Taking an attention test remotely requires careful attention to conditions that allow administration to be as proper and consistent as possible. Before the test, the computer, internet connection and required equipment must be checked against the instructions for the online version. It is important to choose a quiet room, avoid interruptions from family members and ensure that the person taking the test understands the instructions. They must not be assisted during the task unless an explicit instruction to do so has been given as part of the administration procedure. Information about medication, sleep and health that may be relevant to interpreting the results should also be provided in advance.

One advantage of MOXO testing for families living abroad is the option of administering it in multiple languages, according to the available language versions and the needs of the person taking the test. An Israeli family living in another country can thus choose, from the supported languages, the language most suitable for the child or adult being tested, taking into account their mother tongue, language proficiency and the educational environment in which they function.

This option is particularly relevant for multilingual families and children attending international schools.

It is important to emphasize that the test language does not have to be the language of the country where the family lives. The choice should be based first and foremost on the person’s ability to understand the instructions accurately, and is subject to the availability of the appropriate version.

MOXO results include quantitative measures describing different aspects of the person’s performance during the task. The meaningful step is interpreting the findings in the context of the information gathered about the child.

For families during relocation, it is especially important to consider how long they have been in the country, changes in functioning since the move and the degree of adjustment to the educational setting.

When there is a need to diagnose ADHD, a professional qualified to do so must be consulted, in accordance with the relevant professional and legal requirements.

This is an important question for families moving between countries and education systems.

A MOXO test may provide supporting information in a professional assessment, but taking it does not, in itself, guarantee official recognition for diagnosis, educational accommodations or medication in another country. Each country, educational institution or medical body may have different requirements concerning the identity of the diagnosing professional, the type of diagnosis and the necessary documents. Before beginning the process, it is therefore worth clarifying the purpose of the test and whether the body intended to receive the results accepts them as part of the professional documentation.

Families during relocation sometimes face the need to make professional decisions in an unfamiliar environment. An online MOXO test, when conducted according to the appropriate procedures, can provide an accessible tool for gathering additional information as part of an evaluation of attention difficulties. The option of taking the test remotely and in multiple languages expands access for families living in different countries and allows a better fit with the language needs of the person taking it. However, technological accessibility does not replace the need to know the child, their developmental history and the cultural and educational context in which they live.

The goal is not only to make it possible to take a test from anywhere in the world, but to ensure that the information obtained is interpreted responsibly, professionally and in a way that fits the realities of the person’s life.