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Article
Reliability of speech-language pathologists’ categorizations of preschoolers’ communication impairments in practice
American Journal of Speech-Language Patholoby
  • BJ Cunningham
  • Janis Oram Cardy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-26-2021
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-20-00239
Abstract

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. Conclusions Results support use of the clinical consensus document to collect data for reliable categories. Additional work is needed to confirm reliability for some broadly focused impairment categories and for subcategorization of speech impairments.

Citation Information
BJ Cunningham and Janis Oram Cardy. "Reliability of speech-language pathologists’ categorizations of preschoolers’ communication impairments in practice" American Journal of Speech-Language Patholoby Vol. 30 Iss. 2 (2021) p. 734 - 739
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/janis-cardy/28/