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Assessing language comprehension in motor impaired children needing AAC: validity and reliability of the Norwegian version of the receptive language test C-BiLLT

Children with severe motor impairments who need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) comprise a heterogeneous group with wide variability in cognitive functioning. Assessment of language comprehension will help find the best possible communication solution for each child, but there is a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fiske, Sara Ida, Haddeland, Anne Lise, Skipar, Ingvild, Bootsma, Jael N, Geytenbeek, Johanna J, Stadskleiv, Kristine
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Children with severe motor impairments who need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) comprise a heterogeneous group with wide variability in cognitive functioning. Assessment of language comprehension will help find the best possible communication solution for each child, but there is a lack of appropriate instruments. This study investigates the reliability and validity of the Norwegian version of the spoken language comprehension test C-BiLLT (computer-based instrument for low motor language testing) – the C-BiLLT-Nor – and whether response modality influences test results. The participants were 238 children with typical development aged 1;2 to 7;10 (years/months) who were assessed with the C-BiLLT-Nor and tests of language comprehension and non-verbal reasoning. There was excellent internal consistency and good test–retest reliability. Tests of language comprehension and non-verbal reasoning correlated significantly with the C-BiLLT-Nor, indicating good construct validity. Factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution, suggesting it as a measure of receptive vocabulary, grammar, and overall language comprehension. No difference in results could be related to response mode, implying that gaze pointing is a viable option for children who cannot point with a finger. The C-BiLLT-Nor, with norms from 1;6–7;6 is a reliable measure of language comprehension.