Communication Sciences and Disorders Publications
Reliability of Speech-Language Pathologists' Categorizations of Preschoolers' Communication Impairments in Practice
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2021
Journal
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume
30
Issue
2
First Page
734
Last Page
739
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-20-00239
Abstract
Purpose
An efficient and reliable way to categorize children's communication impairments based on routine clinical assessments is needed to inform research and clinical decisions. This preliminary study assessed interrater reliability of speech-language pathologists' categorization of preschoolers' speech, language, and communication impairments using a clinical consensus document.
Method
Six speech-language pathologists at three community sites worked in pairs to assess 38 children aged 1–5 years, then used the clinical consensus document to categorize children's communication impairments broadly. Identified language and speech sound impairments were further subcategorized.
Results
Speech-language pathologists had substantial to almost perfect agreement for three broadly focused impairment categories. Agreement for whether language difficulties/disorders were developmental or associated with a biomedical condition was almost perfect, but moderate for whether difficulties impacted receptive or expressive language, or social communication skills. Agreement was fair for rule-based speech delays/disorders, but low for motor-based and mixed speech impairments.
