Logopedics, Vol. 4 No. 1, 2014.
Original scientific paper
Language screening for preschool children: Individual or group testing?
Marina Olujić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Odsjek za logopediju, Laboratorij za psiholingvistička istraživanja
Jelena Kuvač Kraljević
orcid.org/0000-0003-1452-0851
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Odsjek za logopediju, Laboratorij za psiholingvistička istraživanja
Gordana Hržica
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Odsjek za logopediju, Laboratorij za psiholingvistička istraživanja
Ivana Srebačić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Odsjek za logopediju, Laboratorij za psiholingvistička istraživanja
Ana Matić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Odsjek za logopediju, Laboratorij za psiholingvistička istraživanja
Lana Kologranić Belić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Odsjek za logopediju, Laboratorij za psiholingvistička istraživanja
Nevena Padovan
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Odsjek za logopediju, Laboratorij za psiholingvistička istraživanja
Maja Peretić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Centar za rehabilitaciju
Abstract
Early language development is a complex process that occurs alongside a number of other processes, including physical and cognitive development and socialization. The complexity of childhood as a developmental period can contribute to various deviations from the established norms in language development. The use of screening tests is a standard procedure in the early detection of clinical problems, including difficulties in language development. At present, there are no standardized instruments for screening the language skills of preschool children in Croatian speech-and-language practice. Instead, informal group screening is typically used in practice. The aim of this research was to construct and compare instruments for the individual and group screening of language abilities among preschool children (aged five and six years). Furthermore, this study aimed to discover the advantages and disadvantages of both methods and to establish differences between the language proficiencies of five- and six-year-olds. Finally, this study aimed to define an objective screening method. This research was conducted within the project Prerequisites for academic equality: early recognition of language disorders (IPA 4.1.2.2.02.01.c02). Two instruments aimed at screening the language skills of children aged five and six years were constructed: one for individual screening and one for group screening. The construction and analysis of the screening instruments was conducted based on the results of a stratified sample of 457 children: 244 five-year-olds (M=133 and F=111) and 213 six- year-olds (M=96 and F=117). The results demonstrated that the psychometric features of the individual language skills screening instrument is better than the group screening tool. In other words, the individual language skills screening instrument is a more reliable and objective method. In line with these findings, an explicit recommendation for individual language screening with a reliable and valid instrument in speech-and-language practice can be defined.
Keywords
screening of language abilities; individual screening of language abilities; group screening of language abilities; language impairment; preschool years
Hrčak ID:
131473
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2014.
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