As practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology, we are always on the lookout for effective tools and measures that can help us better serve our young clients. The study "An Evaluation of the Responsiveness of the Pre-Kindergarten ASHA NOMS" by Thomas-Stonell et al. offers critical insights into the effectiveness of the ASHA Pre-Kindergarten National Outcomes Measure System (Pre-K NOMS) and its ability to detect real-life changes in children's communication skills.
The research evaluated the responsiveness of Pre-K NOMS with 213 children aged 3 to 5 years. The study compared changes detected by Pre-K NOMS with those observed independently by both parents and treating clinicians. The findings revealed that Pre-K NOMS identified real-life communication improvements in only 68% of the children, compared to 96% identified by parents and clinicians. This discrepancy highlights the need for more responsive outcome measures in speech-language pathology.
Here are some key takeaways from the study that can help you improve your practice:
- Focus on Real-Life Changes: The study emphasizes the importance of measuring changes that are relevant and significant to both clinicians and families. This involves looking beyond structured settings and evaluating the child's ability to function in natural environments.
- Consider Multiple Measures: The Pre-K NOMS focuses on specific Functional Communication Measures (FCMs) but may miss changes in areas like attention, confidence, and socialization. Incorporate additional tools and assessments to capture a comprehensive picture of a child's progress.
- Parent and Clinician Collaboration: Parents and clinicians often observe changes that are not captured by standardized measures. Regularly involve parents in the assessment process to gain valuable insights into the child's communication skills in various settings.
- Clarify Scoring Criteria: Ensure that all clinicians are consistent in how they score FCMs, especially when changes are observed within treatment sessions but have not yet generalized to other environments. This consistency will improve the reliability of your assessments.
- Emphasize Functional Communication: Functional communication is the ability to convey or receive a message effectively and independently in natural environments. Focus on interventions that enhance a child's ability to communicate in real-world settings.
Implementing these insights can help you better track and facilitate meaningful progress in your young clients. For a more in-depth understanding of the research and its implications, we encourage you to read the original paper.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: An Evaluation of the Responsiveness of the Pre-Kindergarten ASHA NOMS.
