Demographic Example: Texas Public
School
48%
34%
14%4%
2009 Snapshot
How do we qualify and work
with a bilingual population when:
▫ The tests we use are not normed on this
population.
▫ My gut feeling doesn’t match the test
results.
▫ I don’t know what goals are appropriate.
Learner Objectives
• Participants will list, identify, describe…
▫ Reasons for testing both languages
▫ Formal and informal measures for testing ELLs
▫ Use of tests when a student is not represented in the
normative sample
▫ ASHA guidelines for assessment with bilingual
students
▫ Red flags for speech and language impairment in
bilingual children.
▫ Sounds on the Goldman-Fristoe that are subject to
second language influence
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+ = Positive transfer
+ = Negative transfer
Difference vs. Disorder
NORMAL
ERRORS
SECOND-
LANGUAGE
INFLUENCE
ATYPICAL
ERRORS
Exercise: The Goldman Fristoe
Test of Articulation (GFTA)
Using clinical judgment to
analyze errors due to
cross-linguistic influence
GFTA Exercise: Key
All of the documents and charts in this presentation 
can be downloaded from our Free Resource Library.
Click here to visit the Resource Library
The Goldman Fristoe
Test of Articulation (GFTA)
Summary: So what do we know
about assessing articulation?
Spanish Articulation
Assessment Tools
Click here to download this chart as a pdf.
“Bilingualism is random
chaos for psychometrics”
Figueroa, 1989
• We need a standardized score
• However, the formal tests have not been normed
on our populations
• We rely on informal assessment
• We use formal testing as a way to gather
information
The Evolution of Language Test
Development
• A look at:
▫ Language Assessment Tools
 PLS -4
 CELF – 4
 SLAP
▫ Vocabulary Assessment Tools
 ROWPVT
 EOWPVT
 CELF -4
Spanish Language
Assessment Tools
Click here to download this chart as a pdf.
Other Common Languages
Vietnamese
Romanian
Hindi
Urdu
Arabic
• It’s always critical to use information beyond the
assessment tool to complete an assessment.
• Let’s look now at some of the things that can
help us differentiate bilinguals with typical
development from those with
delayed/disordered language skills.
Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts
(SALT)
Dynamic Assessment
( )
• Difficulty learning both languages,
even with adult assistance
• Family history of language/learning disabilities
• Slower development than siblings
• Difficulty interacting with peers
• Inappropriate pragmatic/social language skills (i.e.,
turn-taking, topic maintenance, considering listener
needs, non-verbal communication)
• Difficulty with language in many routines
• Idiosyncratic error patterns
• Language performance unlike others with similar
cultural/linguistic experiences
A student from a second language home does not
perform typically for her age on standardized and
informal evaluations.
Is this due to second language influence or is
she truly impaired?
When do we test in two languages?
• Is the language survey valuable to us?
• Are the results from language proficiency testing
valuable to us (Woodcock-Muñoz Language
Survey)?
Speech and Language Testing is
Cumulative not Comparative
Cumulative not Comparative
Language and Content of Intervention
 Select based on what is appropriate in each language and 
what is appropriate for child’s and family’s situation.
 For example:
Spanish
•Gender
•Verbs
•Article+nouns
•Food
•Clothing
•Household items
Both
•People
•Functions
•Categorization
•Part-Whole
English
•Pronouns
•Prepositions
•Nouns
•Colors
•Numbers
•Shapes
Peña & Kester, 2004
Assessment Summary
• So what do we know?
▫ Not all bilinguals are the same
▫ Children learning a second language may display
behaviors common in monolinguals with language
impairment
▫ Problems associated with all assessment tools
▫ We need to go beyond the tool in assessment
▫ Ongoing assessment across many daily routines is
critical
▫ Exploring all languages is essential
What makes up a bilingual
evaluation testing packet
Referral
Packet
Vision and
Hearing
Parent Info
Teacher
Info
Educational
History
English
Testing
Informal
Speech
Formal
Speech
Informal
Language
Formal
Language
What makes up a bilingual
evaluation testing packet
Referral
Packet
Vision and
Hearing
Parent Info
Teacher
Info
Educational
History
English
Testing
Informal
Speech
Formal
Speech
Informal
Language
Formal
Language
Second
Language
Testing
Informal
Speech
Formal
Speech
Informal
Language
Formal
Language
Language Outcomes
• Qualifies• DNQ
• DNQ• DNQ
Errors
are
typical
for age
Errors
are due
to
second
language
Errors
are
atypical
for age
and
language
No
errors
present
Speech Outcomes
• Qualifies• DNQ
• DNQ• DNQ
Errors
are
typical
for age
Errors
are due
to
second
language
Errors
are
atypical
for age
and
language
No
errors
present
A word on DNQs
•DO NOT QUIT here!
• You put 60 days of work into
this student and know him
better than anyone at this point
• Share the data to explain how to
support the student and make
him successful in the classroom
Case Studies
Dual language effects on the
referral and assessment process
Case Study #1
SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
• STUDENT 1 – 1st Grade, English classroom
▫ Below grade level in Kindergarten
▫ Wears glasses
▫ Reading is below grade
level
▫ Difficulty answering
questions
▫ Easily distracted
Spn Eng
Composite 
Language 
Scores
Stnd 
Score
%ile 
Rank
Stnd 
Score
%ile 
Rank
Core 
Language
86 18 78 7
Receptive 
Language
78 7 73 4
Expressive 
Language
85 16 69 2
Language 
Content
77 6 73 4
Language 
Structure
84 14 78 7
Case Study #1
SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
• STUDENT 1 – 1st Grade, English classroom
▫ Below grade level in Kindergarten
▫ Wears glasses
▫ Reading is below grade
level
▫ Difficulty answering
questions
▫ Easily distracted
Spn Eng
Composite 
Language 
Scores
Stnd 
Score
%ile 
Rank
Stnd 
Score
%ile 
Rank
Core 
Language
86 18 78 7
Receptive 
Language
78 7 73 4
Expressive 
Language
85 16 69 2
Language 
Content
77 6 73 4
Language 
Structure
84 14 78 7
• STUDENT 2 – 1st Grade, English classroom
• Repeating 1st grade
• Struggling academically (especially math and
reading)
• Does not talk
often in class
• Talks at recess
• Bilingual home
Spanish English
Composite Language 
Scores
Stnd Score Stnd Score
Core Language 68 Core Language 90
Receptive Language 83 Listening
Comprehension
96
Expressive Language 57 Oral Expression 87
Language Structure 57
Case Study #1
SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
• STUDENT 2 – 1st Grade, English classroom
• Repeating 1st grade
• Struggling academically (especially math and
reading)
• Does not talk
often in class
• Talks at recess
• Bilingual home
Spanish English
Composite Language 
Scores
Stnd Score Stnd Score
Core Language 68 Core Language 90
Receptive Language 83 Listening
Comprehension
96
Expressive Language 57 Oral Expression 87
Language Structure 57
Case Study #1
SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
STUDENT 1 – 1st Grade, English classroom
• Outcome
▫ Student does not qualify for speech and language services
▫ Language development is within normal limits in Spanish
▫ Language development in English is typical for a second
language learner
▫ Reading difficulties may be related to visual impairment
Incidentally,
LD testing results matched speech and language results
after the student was tested in both languages.
Case Study #1
SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
STUDENT 2 – 1st Grade, English classroom
• Outcome
– Student does not qualify for speech and language services
– Language development is within normal limits in English
– Language development in Spanish indicates low
proficiency
– Academic difficulties may be related to a learning disability
LD testing recommended.
Case Study #1
SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Case Study #2
ARABIC/ADHD
• Receiving resource for Other Health Impairment
• ADHD and is now on medication
• Home Language Survey says Arabic/English
• Did not qualify as LD
• English Language Testing:
▫ CELF-4
 Core Language = 77
 Receptive Language = 76
 Expressive Language = 78
 Language Content = 78
 Language Memory = 78
Questions:
• Is it possible that his language scores are "flat" due to
being bilingual?
• Should I have an Arabic assessment done? If so, how
should I go about it?
• Or since he isn't LEP, should we go ahead and qualify
him as SI?
Case Study #2
ARABIC/ADHD
• Results
▫ Assessment completed with Arabic interpreter
▫ Language sample with much longer and more
complex utterances than demonstrated in English
▫ Minimal vocabulary errors
▫ Minimal syntax errors
▫ Fully intelligible to interpreter
Case Study #2
ARABIC/ADHD
Case Study #3
BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
• Mild to moderate hearing impairment
• 50% Intelligible
• 1st Percentile with standardized speech testing
• 69% intelligible during 100 word sample
• Family from England and has been living in the
United States for two years
Questions:
• How do we figure out what is causing the low
intelligibility? Is it a true speech impairment,
resulting from the hearing impairment, or influence
from British English?
• Can the norms from the standardized test be used
because he speaks “English?”
• If he qualifies, how do we determine appropriate
goals?
Case Study #3
BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
• Outcome
▫ Parents more thoroughly interviewed. This
was a dialectical difference in the area they
came from
▫ SLP researched (“googled”) specific dialect to
identify attributes
▫ Speech errors were put up against
 Typical errors with hearing impairment
 Age-appropriate errors in SA English
 Dialectal differences of “Brummie English”
▫ Results follow
Case Study #3
BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Initial Medial Final Initial Medial Final Initial Medial Final
p t
k omit
l
n omit
b d
g omit
r
w w omit
m k
t glottal
stop s
st
n
"ng"
g
omit
z
s

omit
f
v

w v t
  
h 
De-
aspirated
De-
aspirated
De-
aspirated
dz
j (y)
n voiced
"th"
v
Case Study #3
BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Case Study #3
BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Phonemes
Phonological Processes
Blend: Error: Blend: Error: Blend: Error:
bl bj (y) gr gw sl s
br b kl k sp
dr g kr kw st
fl f kw gw sw
fr fw pl tr 
Process Example
Final consonant deletion "ba" for "ball"
Medial consonant deletion "waon" for "wagon"
Fronting "take" for "cake"
Backing "kelephone" for "telephone"
Gliding "bawoons" for "balloons" and "wing" for "ring," "fwog" for "frog"
Cluster reduction "lasses" for "glasses"
Deaffrication "share" for "chair"
Outcome:
• Qualifies for speech services
• Evaluation provided detailed information for
which sounds to address
• Goals are specific to non-dialectal
sounds said in error
Case Study #3
BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Take Away Points
• Thorough language history is critical.
• Thorough health (especially hearing) history is
needed.
• Testing in all languages is the only way to get a
complete picture of a student’s abilities
• Understanding the features of the non-English
language as well as how those compare to
English will help identify what errors may be due
to cross-linguistic influence.
Difference or Disorder? 
Understanding Speech and Language 
Patterns in Culturally and Linguistically 
Diverse Students
Rapidly identify speech‐language 
patterns related to second language 
acquisition to 
distinguish difference from disorder.
Click to visit www.bilinguistics.com

Evaluating Students From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations: Determining difference from disorder

  • 2.
    Demographic Example: TexasPublic School 48% 34% 14%4% 2009 Snapshot
  • 3.
    How do wequalify and work with a bilingual population when: ▫ The tests we use are not normed on this population. ▫ My gut feeling doesn’t match the test results. ▫ I don’t know what goals are appropriate.
  • 4.
    Learner Objectives • Participantswill list, identify, describe… ▫ Reasons for testing both languages ▫ Formal and informal measures for testing ELLs ▫ Use of tests when a student is not represented in the normative sample ▫ ASHA guidelines for assessment with bilingual students ▫ Red flags for speech and language impairment in bilingual children. ▫ Sounds on the Goldman-Fristoe that are subject to second language influence
  • 5.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    + = Positivetransfer + = Negative transfer
  • 8.
  • 9.
    Exercise: The GoldmanFristoe Test of Articulation (GFTA) Using clinical judgment to analyze errors due to cross-linguistic influence
  • 10.
  • 11.
  • 12.
    The Goldman Fristoe Testof Articulation (GFTA) Summary: So what do we know about assessing articulation?
  • 13.
  • 14.
    “Bilingualism is random chaosfor psychometrics” Figueroa, 1989
  • 15.
    • We needa standardized score • However, the formal tests have not been normed on our populations • We rely on informal assessment • We use formal testing as a way to gather information
  • 16.
    The Evolution ofLanguage Test Development • A look at: ▫ Language Assessment Tools  PLS -4  CELF – 4  SLAP ▫ Vocabulary Assessment Tools  ROWPVT  EOWPVT  CELF -4
  • 17.
  • 18.
  • 19.
    • It’s alwayscritical to use information beyond the assessment tool to complete an assessment. • Let’s look now at some of the things that can help us differentiate bilinguals with typical development from those with delayed/disordered language skills.
  • 20.
    Systematic Analysis ofLanguage Transcripts (SALT) Dynamic Assessment ( )
  • 21.
    • Difficulty learningboth languages, even with adult assistance • Family history of language/learning disabilities • Slower development than siblings • Difficulty interacting with peers • Inappropriate pragmatic/social language skills (i.e., turn-taking, topic maintenance, considering listener needs, non-verbal communication) • Difficulty with language in many routines • Idiosyncratic error patterns • Language performance unlike others with similar cultural/linguistic experiences
  • 22.
    A student froma second language home does not perform typically for her age on standardized and informal evaluations. Is this due to second language influence or is she truly impaired?
  • 23.
    When do wetest in two languages? • Is the language survey valuable to us? • Are the results from language proficiency testing valuable to us (Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey)? Speech and Language Testing is Cumulative not Comparative
  • 24.
    Cumulative not Comparative Language and Content of Intervention Select based on what is appropriate in each language and  what is appropriate for child’s and family’s situation.  For example: Spanish •Gender •Verbs •Article+nouns •Food •Clothing •Household items Both •People •Functions •Categorization •Part-Whole English •Pronouns •Prepositions •Nouns •Colors •Numbers •Shapes Peña & Kester, 2004
  • 25.
    Assessment Summary • Sowhat do we know? ▫ Not all bilinguals are the same ▫ Children learning a second language may display behaviors common in monolinguals with language impairment ▫ Problems associated with all assessment tools ▫ We need to go beyond the tool in assessment ▫ Ongoing assessment across many daily routines is critical ▫ Exploring all languages is essential
  • 26.
    What makes upa bilingual evaluation testing packet Referral Packet Vision and Hearing Parent Info Teacher Info Educational History English Testing Informal Speech Formal Speech Informal Language Formal Language
  • 27.
    What makes upa bilingual evaluation testing packet Referral Packet Vision and Hearing Parent Info Teacher Info Educational History English Testing Informal Speech Formal Speech Informal Language Formal Language Second Language Testing Informal Speech Formal Speech Informal Language Formal Language
  • 28.
    Language Outcomes • Qualifies•DNQ • DNQ• DNQ Errors are typical for age Errors are due to second language Errors are atypical for age and language No errors present
  • 29.
    Speech Outcomes • Qualifies•DNQ • DNQ• DNQ Errors are typical for age Errors are due to second language Errors are atypical for age and language No errors present
  • 30.
    A word onDNQs •DO NOT QUIT here! • You put 60 days of work into this student and know him better than anyone at this point • Share the data to explain how to support the student and make him successful in the classroom
  • 31.
    Case Studies Dual languageeffects on the referral and assessment process
  • 32.
    Case Study #1 SPANISH-ENGLISHSPEAKERS • STUDENT 1 – 1st Grade, English classroom ▫ Below grade level in Kindergarten ▫ Wears glasses ▫ Reading is below grade level ▫ Difficulty answering questions ▫ Easily distracted Spn Eng Composite  Language  Scores Stnd  Score %ile  Rank Stnd  Score %ile  Rank Core  Language 86 18 78 7 Receptive  Language 78 7 73 4 Expressive  Language 85 16 69 2 Language  Content 77 6 73 4 Language  Structure 84 14 78 7
  • 33.
    Case Study #1 SPANISH-ENGLISHSPEAKERS • STUDENT 1 – 1st Grade, English classroom ▫ Below grade level in Kindergarten ▫ Wears glasses ▫ Reading is below grade level ▫ Difficulty answering questions ▫ Easily distracted Spn Eng Composite  Language  Scores Stnd  Score %ile  Rank Stnd  Score %ile  Rank Core  Language 86 18 78 7 Receptive  Language 78 7 73 4 Expressive  Language 85 16 69 2 Language  Content 77 6 73 4 Language  Structure 84 14 78 7
  • 34.
    • STUDENT 2– 1st Grade, English classroom • Repeating 1st grade • Struggling academically (especially math and reading) • Does not talk often in class • Talks at recess • Bilingual home Spanish English Composite Language  Scores Stnd Score Stnd Score Core Language 68 Core Language 90 Receptive Language 83 Listening Comprehension 96 Expressive Language 57 Oral Expression 87 Language Structure 57 Case Study #1 SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
  • 35.
    • STUDENT 2– 1st Grade, English classroom • Repeating 1st grade • Struggling academically (especially math and reading) • Does not talk often in class • Talks at recess • Bilingual home Spanish English Composite Language  Scores Stnd Score Stnd Score Core Language 68 Core Language 90 Receptive Language 83 Listening Comprehension 96 Expressive Language 57 Oral Expression 87 Language Structure 57 Case Study #1 SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
  • 36.
    STUDENT 1 –1st Grade, English classroom • Outcome ▫ Student does not qualify for speech and language services ▫ Language development is within normal limits in Spanish ▫ Language development in English is typical for a second language learner ▫ Reading difficulties may be related to visual impairment Incidentally, LD testing results matched speech and language results after the student was tested in both languages. Case Study #1 SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
  • 37.
    STUDENT 2 –1st Grade, English classroom • Outcome – Student does not qualify for speech and language services – Language development is within normal limits in English – Language development in Spanish indicates low proficiency – Academic difficulties may be related to a learning disability LD testing recommended. Case Study #1 SPANISH-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
  • 38.
    Case Study #2 ARABIC/ADHD •Receiving resource for Other Health Impairment • ADHD and is now on medication • Home Language Survey says Arabic/English • Did not qualify as LD • English Language Testing: ▫ CELF-4  Core Language = 77  Receptive Language = 76  Expressive Language = 78  Language Content = 78  Language Memory = 78
  • 39.
    Questions: • Is itpossible that his language scores are "flat" due to being bilingual? • Should I have an Arabic assessment done? If so, how should I go about it? • Or since he isn't LEP, should we go ahead and qualify him as SI? Case Study #2 ARABIC/ADHD
  • 40.
    • Results ▫ Assessmentcompleted with Arabic interpreter ▫ Language sample with much longer and more complex utterances than demonstrated in English ▫ Minimal vocabulary errors ▫ Minimal syntax errors ▫ Fully intelligible to interpreter Case Study #2 ARABIC/ADHD
  • 41.
    Case Study #3 BRITISHENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT • Mild to moderate hearing impairment • 50% Intelligible • 1st Percentile with standardized speech testing • 69% intelligible during 100 word sample • Family from England and has been living in the United States for two years
  • 42.
    Questions: • How dowe figure out what is causing the low intelligibility? Is it a true speech impairment, resulting from the hearing impairment, or influence from British English? • Can the norms from the standardized test be used because he speaks “English?” • If he qualifies, how do we determine appropriate goals? Case Study #3 BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
  • 43.
    • Outcome ▫ Parentsmore thoroughly interviewed. This was a dialectical difference in the area they came from ▫ SLP researched (“googled”) specific dialect to identify attributes ▫ Speech errors were put up against  Typical errors with hearing impairment  Age-appropriate errors in SA English  Dialectal differences of “Brummie English” ▫ Results follow Case Study #3 BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
  • 44.
    Initial Medial FinalInitial Medial Final Initial Medial Final p t k omit l n omit b d g omit r w w omit m k t glottal stop s st n "ng" g omit z s  omit f v  w v t    h  De- aspirated De- aspirated De- aspirated dz j (y) n voiced "th" v Case Study #3 BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
  • 45.
    Case Study #3 BRITISHENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT Phonemes Phonological Processes Blend: Error: Blend: Error: Blend: Error: bl bj (y) gr gw sl s br b kl k sp dr g kr kw st fl f kw gw sw fr fw pl tr  Process Example Final consonant deletion "ba" for "ball" Medial consonant deletion "waon" for "wagon" Fronting "take" for "cake" Backing "kelephone" for "telephone" Gliding "bawoons" for "balloons" and "wing" for "ring," "fwog" for "frog" Cluster reduction "lasses" for "glasses" Deaffrication "share" for "chair"
  • 46.
    Outcome: • Qualifies forspeech services • Evaluation provided detailed information for which sounds to address • Goals are specific to non-dialectal sounds said in error Case Study #3 BRITISH ENGLISH /HEARING IMPAIRMENT
  • 47.
    Take Away Points •Thorough language history is critical. • Thorough health (especially hearing) history is needed. • Testing in all languages is the only way to get a complete picture of a student’s abilities • Understanding the features of the non-English language as well as how those compare to English will help identify what errors may be due to cross-linguistic influence.
  • 48.
  • 49.