What are effective language assessment tools for children with learning disabilities?

1 Formal and informal tools

Language assessment tools can be classified into two broad categories: formal and informal. Formal tools are standardized tests that measure specific aspects of language, such as vocabulary, grammar, phonology, or comprehension. They provide scores and norms that compare the child's performance to a normative sample of peers. Informal tools are non-standardized methods that observe and analyze the child's language in natural contexts, such as conversations, narratives, or classroom activities. They provide qualitative and descriptive information that can complement the formal tools.

2 Validity and reliability

Effective language assessment tools must have high validity and reliability. Validity refers to the extent to which the tool measures what it claims to measure, and how well it reflects the child's actual language abilities and difficulties. Reliability refers to the consistency and accuracy of the tool, and how well it produces similar results across different occasions, raters, and items. Validity and reliability can be affected by various factors, such as the quality of the test design, administration, scoring, and interpretation.

3 Sensitivity and specificity

Effective language assessment tools must also have high sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity refers to the ability of the tool to correctly identify children who have language difficulties, and not miss any cases that need intervention. Specificity refers to the ability of the tool to correctly exclude children who do not have language difficulties, and not over-identify cases that do not need intervention. Sensitivity and specificity can be influenced by the cut-off scores, the criteria, and the characteristics of the population being assessed.

4 Dynamic and criterion-referenced

Effective language assessment tools should also be dynamic and criterion-referenced. Dynamic assessment is an interactive approach that evaluates the child's potential for learning and response to instruction, rather than just the current level of performance. It involves providing feedback, scaffolding, and prompts to the child, and observing how the child modifies and improves the language output. Criterion-referenced assessment is a method that compares the child's performance to a specific criterion or objective, rather than to a normative sample. It focuses on the child's individual progress and goals, rather than on the average or expected performance.

5 Examples of effective tools

Assessing language proficiency in children with learning disabilities can be done through tools such as the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF), the Test of Narrative Language (TNL), and the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT). CELF is a comprehensive formal test that covers various domains of language, including semantics, syntax, morphology, pragmatics, and memory. TNL is a formal test that measures the child's ability to produce and comprehend oral narratives. Lastly, SALT is an informal tool that analyzes the child's language samples from various settings, providing detailed information on their language features. All three tools have high validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity and can be used to monitor progress and outcomes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?