Measuring Aided Language Development
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Down Syndrome
- Sponsor
- University of Central Florida
- Enrollment
- 60
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Aided AAC Utterance Length
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- 11 months ago
Overview
Brief Summary
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).
Detailed Description
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.
Investigators
Jennifer Kent-Walsh
Pegasus Professor & Associate Dean of Research
University of Central Florida
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Clinical Identification of Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy + Significant Speech Impairment
- •Must Speak English as a Primary Language
- •Must Be Able to Express At Least 25 Words (using any communication mode)
- •Must Be Able to Accurately Select Picture Symbols on iPad Communication App with at Least 50% Accuracy
- •Vision and Hearing within Functional Limits or Corrected to be within Functional Limits for Study Activities
Exclusion Criteria
- •Clinical Diagnosis of Autism or Social Communication Disorder
- •Primary Language Spoken is A Language Other than English
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Aided AAC Utterance Length
Time Frame: 24 Months
Aided AAC Sentence Length Measured in Morphemes