anyone know about language tests?
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anyone know about language tests?
| Thu, 02-02-2006 - 3:53pm |
Renee, maybe? I know Mike was just tested.
I just spoke to the SLP about language testing. She's trying to give me the run around big time. But I did get out of her that she's going to use the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals. Anyone know if this is an appropriate test? Will this tell us what we want to know-if he understands and can use social communication in the classroom and with peers?
Thanks
Samantha

The CELF - yeah it is pretty good I hear. Mike had 3 subtests of that a couple years ago. Did 16-25% on it. (below average to low average but not enough to qualify for services)..
There is an awesome awesome book with a whole chapter on evaluating kids for language troubles, particularly social-language. She calls it "Social-cognitive deficits". It is Michelle Garcia Winners "Thinking About You, Thinking About Me" book, chapter 7.
I would strongly recomend that if you can get this from the library or on loan from the ASA or somewhere else that you should read that chapter. You may want the book yourself.
If she is already giving you the run around you are going to need to be prepared in order to qualify him for speech services. In most cases kids with HFA/AS will score within normal limits or even high on language evals because evaluations are done in a sterile environment with lots of practice. Then though these kids can perform adequately within the testing constraints they cannot use these skills in every day life.
That is what you are going to need to prove most likely. One thing for sure is that the SLP needs to do observations of Kyle in natural settings and a variety of them to see how he uses the skills with his peers.
Testing may tell you where his strengths are and if there are any glaring areas of deficit and what to work on in that. For instance, Mike came back REALLY low in inferencing and pramgatic judgement and the kinds of questions he bombed gives the speech path ideas for what she needs to work on for him.
Also, typically to "qualify" many schools say you have to be really low on standardized tests to qualify for services. HOWEVER, that said, IDEA says you cannot use only one method of evaluation to determine a childs need for special education. ie, they also have to take into account teacher observations, observations outside classroom and what ever means neccessary to determine if a child's education is affected by their disability.
If you don't agree wiht the test results you can request an independent assessment. Unfortunately with language skills in particular, many SLPs are not enlightened. They are used to more easily recognized delays such as articulation or decreased vocabulary or ability to form sentences. Pragmatic and social language use is a much harder area to assess and understand. It is also a vital area that needs to be treated.
Just a warning to be on your guard and be prepared. I have known some moms in the right areas of the country that automatically got speech/language services for kids with AS, but unfortunately it is usually much much harder to obtain.
Renee
Oh, and some other good tests are
CASL (Comprehensive Assessment of Social Language) - pricey but my district had it.
TLC (Test of Language Competence)
and if he is over 12 - TOPS-A (Test of Problem Solving - Adolescant) the younger version isn't as good.
TOPL (Test of Pragmatic Language) - is OK but too easy in many regards. The Pragmatic Judgement section of the CASL is better
and if written language is an issue - TEWL-3 (Test of Written Language - 3rd edition)
Renee