[Evaluation of current assessment tools in the early detection of language retardation in the German preventive paediatric examinations (Kindervorsorgeuntersuchung U7/U7A)].

OBJECTIVE

The current analysis is a contribution to user orientation and quality assurance that seeks to evaluate and optimise the use of German language development assessment tools during early paediatric toddler check-ups ( KINDERVORSORGEUNTERSUCHUNG U7 OR U7A).

METHODS

All current, standardised assessment tools, particularly those relevant to early detection of developmental language retardation - normed on German speaking children - were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively with particular regard to their psychometric criteria (13 criteria) and design features.

RESULTS

8 assessment tools (ELAN; ELFRA-2; Short Form ELFRA-2; FRAKIS; FRAKIS-K; SBE-2-KT; SBE-3-KT; SETK-2) were located in the literature and subjected to a detailed and rigorous comparative analysis. Quantitatively they met 9 to 11 of the 13 psychometric criteria.

CONCLUSION

In Germany, there are several assessment tools for dichotomous identification of language retardations on high levels of psychometric criteria that can be used in the above-mentioned preventive paediatric examinations. Nevertheless, the collecting of actual norm scores of representative samples should be kept in mind.