Gardner Hilary, Froud Karen, McClelland Alastair, van der Lely Heather K J
Department of Human Communication Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2006 Sep-Oct;41(5):513-40. doi: 10.1080/13682820500442644.
Despite a large body of evidence regarding reliable indicators of language deficits in young children, there has not been a standardized, quick screen for language impairment. The Grammar and Phonology Screening (GAPS) test was therefore designed as a short, reliable assessment of young children's language abilities.
GAPS was designed to provide a quick screening test to assess whether pre- and early school entry children have the necessary grammar and pre-reading phonological skills needed for education and social development. This paper reports the theoretical background to the test, the pilot study and reliability, and the standardization.
This 10-min test comprises 11 test sentences and eight test nonsense words for direct imitation and is designed to highlight significant markers of language impairment and reading difficulties. To standardize the GAPS, 668 children aged 3.4-6.6 were tested across the UK, taking into account population distribution and socio-economic status. The test was carried out by a range of health and education professionals as well as by students and carers using only simple, written instructions.
GAPS is effective in detecting a range of children in need of further in-depth assessment or monitoring for language difficulties. The results concur with those from much larger epidemiological studies using lengthy testing procedures.
The GAPS test (1) provides a successful screening tool; (2) is designed to be administered by professionals and non-professionals alike; and (3) facilitates identification of language impairment or at-risk factors of reading impairment in the early educational years. Thus, the test affords a first step in a process of assessment and targeted intervention to enable children to reach their potential.
尽管有大量关于幼儿语言缺陷可靠指标的证据，但尚未有针对语言障碍的标准化快速筛查方法。因此，语法和语音筛查（GAPS）测试被设计为一种对幼儿语言能力的简短、可靠评估。
GAPS旨在提供一种快速筛查测试，以评估学前儿童和刚入学儿童是否具备教育和社会发展所需的必要语法及学前语音技能。本文报告了该测试的理论背景、初步研究、可靠性及标准化情况。
这项10分钟的测试包括11个测试句子和8个用于直接模仿的无意义测试单词，旨在突出语言障碍和阅读困难的重要标志。为使GAPS标准化，在英国对668名3.4至6.6岁的儿童进行了测试，同时考虑了人口分布和社会经济地位。该测试由一系列卫生和教育专业人员以及学生和护理人员仅根据简单的书面说明进行。
GAPS能有效检测出一系列需要进一步深入评估或监测语言困难的儿童。结果与使用冗长测试程序的大规模流行病学研究结果一致。
GAPS测试（1）提供了一种成功的筛查工具；（2）设计为由专业人员和非专业人员共同实施；（3）有助于在早期教育阶段识别语言障碍或阅读障碍的风险因素。因此，该测试是评估和针对性干预过程的第一步，以使儿童发挥其潜力。
