Measuring Aided Language Development

The focus of the current study is to systematically investigate the psychometric properties of a range of aided language measures, which are based on the Graphic Symbol Utterance and Sentence Development Framework (Binger \& Kent-Walsh).

Our central hypotheses are: (1) psychometrically sound measures can be established to capture growth within and across different dimensions of language acquisition, and (2) some elicitation contexts will be better than others at capturing aided language growth. Specific Aim 1 identifies valid measures to characterize aided language progress. Aim 1A uses existing data to document the psychometric properties of a range of aided language measures for preschoolers at the early stages of aided communication acquisition who have received 4 months of aided language intervention. Aim 1B analyzes language progression for high-performing aided communicators who will receive 24 months of intervention; this allows for investigation across all phases of early aided language acquisition. Specific Aim 2 identifies elicitation contexts that demonstrate the most productive aided language use. Achievement of the aims will result in measures that demonstrate strong reliability, differentiate growth for different populations, describe different dimensions of language growth, and are clinically feasible.