CELF LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT WHEN RECEPTIVE SCORES ARE HIGHER THAN EXPRESSIVE

[Eveiebaby]

I met with DD's SLT today and it seems that her expressive language tested on the 9th percentile and receptive (understanding of concepts, following instructions) on the 50th percentile .

I always knew deep down that DD's receptive language was not the issue - it has always been her expressive language that has hugely worried me. Anyway, I have had some time to think and I wished I had asked the SLT if the difference between these scores actually means anything? ie Why is there such a big difference for recptive Vs expressive?

We have agreed that the target for DD should be for her to verbally interact with her peers. SLT didn't not seem too concerned about her expressive scores she said she was just outside the average range but I wonder if there is more in the ways of targets etc... I should be asking about in terms of her improving her expressive language.

btw - DD is 5.5 years and was diagnosed ASD at 3.5

Thanks

I think the difference between the 2 means she has ASD :)

Or at least that that scores like that are what you'd expect for a child with ASD :)

(hopefully someone who knows more will be along soon)

you m ay find this research paper explains some of the issues
A randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of direct versus indirect and individual versus group modes of speech and language therapy for children with primary language impairment and there is more related information can be found via CiteULike Group: Speech and Langauge Pathology - library

I was thinking that if it was the other way around ie receptive much lower than expressive then yes a high marker for ASD.

Previous SALT was very surprised when she tested her at Easter and she came out with high receptive scores (well higher than expected for an ASD child). Unfortunately that SALT left without writing up any reports so I could not get an overall picture of her language development at the time.

I'm not looking to dispute the ASD diagnosis at the moment but just wondered if there was anything language wise I should be working on. We are doing lots of OT work and retained reflex therapy so language input has been a bit neglected so to speak.

I will check those links out later dolfrog - thanks

Forgot to say I suppose I could just call the SALT and ask her

I think the best solution is to speak to the SALT and ask to meet to discuss the assessment results in more detail. It sounds to me that the SALT is focusing more on what will be functional for your child - e.g. your child's social use of language for communication and interaction. However, the SALT will be able to pin point some expressive language areas that your child was weaker in and suggest ways to develop these further alongside this core functional aim.

Also the two scores can be compared to see if the difference is significant statistically - ie if it is an unusual difference for your child's age range.

Also it is important to note the assessment scores are standardized to normally developing children and may not take any additional difficulties into consideration so must be interpreted with caution.

Yes I forgot to write that... Usually with Children with ASD one would usually expect the expressive language scores to be better than receptive language score... and the other way around for children with language delays but this isnt an exact science

yes, my ds has always been the other way too - expressive language is now within the normal range but receptive very delayed - I thought that was a more typical profile for children with ASD. Could normal receptive with delayed expressive be a more 'simple' expressive language delay or disorder? Are her expressive scores improving?

Once again thanks to everyone - as always it is very interesting and supportive to hear others experiences.

This was the first time her expressive language was officially tested. She has made good progress over the last couple of years but it is noticable - even without the official test scores - that she is behind her peers in her expressive language.

SALT is going to send me the report in writing and she said she has highlighted on it some example of DD's weak areas.

It's just the waiting that I don't like - I want that report NOW!

DS, same age as your dd eveie scores the same and struggles more with receptive. Bibic said he doesn't match the typical asd profile, but who knows what that is ?!?

Salt focuses more on social interaction in his school targets, can scan and email them through.

Other than that I make DS answer lots of question when we go out to do fun activities, when we read a book, when we play together....then I use dh and ds2 to do social language modelling, and do lots of recalling games so he can now recall things done at school which always helps with expressive.

Create the fun opportunities and model answers to questions and do lots of commenting. That all I do.

DS struggles with expressive, thAt was a typo above. His receptive tested only 11 months behind his age.

Justabout - DD did fail school hearing test so we have an appointment soon to rule out any type of hearing impairment.

Blueshark - thanks - I do modelling and commenting but need to do it more often, in fact constantly - I think . Trouble is if I question DD too much she gets all moody and says "Why do I have to talk to you?". I think she gets defensive because she finds it hard to answer the questions I ask which I guess is typical in children who have trouble expressing themselves.