I am writing chapter 3 of my proposal and I need an instrument to measure language development for low functioning autistic children. I will appreciate if any of you will allow me to use the instrument that you already have.
I am doing a quasi-experimental study and using a small population of 5 autistic students (3 to 5 years old). My strategy includes photographs of each child natural environment which will allow me to initiate conversation with each one. I use each child's IEP as a pretest and will use the measurement that I am looking for to verify progress in the post-test towards the end of the training.
Hi Marie,
I'm wondering what area/s of language you want to measure. If you want to look at morphology and syntax, I could suggest the LARSP (Language Assessment Remediation and Screening Procedure) which is available online for free. It does not provide the child with a score, but instead a language profile. That means it wouldn't be appropriate if you needed to run statistical tests showing improvement. However, it would give you detailed information about each child's language production. It also sounds like it might be appropriate because it is based on child language samples which you seem to be gathering.
Best,
Jodi
Hi Marie,
you might want to check a number of checklists available such as the GARS and some parts from the ADOS. It is very important to check eye contact skills. Are you aware of EDEN schools in Staten Island. You might want to consult with them as to the instruments they are using.
Kakia
Hi Jodi, Kakia and Ella,
Thank you very much for your help. I am considering all three possibilities that you offered me. However, I am working on a strategy to develop communication skills for low functioning autistic children with language impairment. If a researcher had already used a tool he/she would be able to tell me about the validity and reliability of that specific tool and if it is appropriate for a small population.
Have you explored the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories:
http://mb-cdi.stanford.edu/cdiwelcome.htm
Communication Matrix focuses early communicative skills and has been used in studies Before. https://www.communicationmatrix.org/
Have you checked fx Solomon-Rice&Soto "Facilitating Vocabulary in Toddlers Using AAC A Preliminary Study Comparing Focused Stimulation and Augmented Input" for inspiration?
Good luck
Hello Marie,
would you be interested in a quantitative analysis of spontaneous speech you could have a look at the CHILDES database (vid.nb1). There you can find actual transcriptions of one of the papers by Tager-Fulsberg (vid.nb2), and many others (vid.nb3), which may serve as inspiration!
You could measure lexical retrieval, lexical diversity, or aspects that may be indicative of grammatical complexity, such as MLU (i.e., mean length of utterance).
Regards,
Adria
nb1. http://childes.psy.cmu.edu/
nb2. Tager-Flusberg, H., Calkins, S., Nolin, T., Bamberger, T., Anderson, M., & Chandwick-Dias, A. (1990). A longitudinal study of language acquisition in autistic and Down syndrome children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 20, 1–21
nb3. http://childes.psy.cmu.edu/manuals/05clinical.pdf
Adrià Rofes,
This is interesting and it will be very helpful to me.
Regards,
Marie
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Academic Journals