ERIC Number: EJ909122
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Oct
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0161-1461
EISSN: N/A
Internet-Based Telehealth Assessment of Language Using the CELF-4
Waite, Monique C.; Theodoros, Deborah G.; Russell, Trevor G.; Cahill, Louise M.
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, v41 n4 p445-458 Oct 2010
Purpose: Telehealth has the potential to improve children's access to speech-language pathology services. Validation of telehealth applications, including the assessment of childhood language disorders, is necessary for telehealth to become an accepted alternative mode of service provision. The aim of this study was to validate an Internet-based telehealth system for assessing childhood language disorders. Method: Twenty-five children ages 5 to 9 years were assessed using the core language subtests of the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-4th Edition (CELF-4; Semel, Wiig, & Secord, 2003). Each participant was simultaneously assessed online and face-to-face (FTF). Assessments were administered by either an online or an FTF speech-language pathologist (SLP), but were simultaneously rated by both SLPs. Results: No significant difference was found between the online and FTF total raw scores and scaled scores for each subtest. Weighted kappas revealed very good agreement on the individual items, total raw scores, scaled scores, core language score, and severity level. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were determined for a sample of online ratings, with intraclass correlation analysis revealing very good agreement on all measures. Conclusion: The results of this study support the validity and reliability of scoring the core language subtests of the CELF-4 via telehealth.
Descriptors: Language Impairments, Interrater Reliability, Speech Language Pathology, Children, Program Effectiveness, Correlation, Raw Scores, Internet, Allied Health Personnel, Evaluation Methods, Validity, Services
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. Tel: 800-638-8255; Fax: 301-571-0457; e-mail: subscribe@asha.org; Web site: http://lshss.asha.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A