Validation of the Language Development Survey (LDS)

A Parent Report Tool for Identifying Language Delay in Toddlers

lrescorl{at}brynmawr.edu

Two studies are reported demonstrating the reliability, validity, and clinical utility of the Language Development Survey (LDS; L. Rescorla, 1989) as a screening tool for the identification of expressive language delay in toddlers. In Study 1, 422 children (ages 24–26 months) were screened with the LDS in an epidemiological survey. The LDS manifested excellent concurrent validity with a brief direct screening measure of expressive vocabulary. Using the Rescorla (1989) Delay 3 cutoff of fewer than 50 words or no word combinations, 9.7% of the sample were language delayed (32 boys, 9 girls). In Study 2, 33 children identified as "at-risk" by the LDS Delay 3 cutoff and 33 typically developing children, matched on age, socioeconomic status, and gender, were seen for in-depth follow-up assessment approximately 3 weeks later. The LDS test-retest reliability was.97. The LDS correlated highly with Reynell Receptive and Expressive Language Scale scores, Bayley Mental Development Index, and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Composite. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value between the screening LDS and the follow-up Reynell Expressive Language Scale were generally impressive. Finally, the at-risk group scored significantly lower than the LDS-identified typically developing group on all follow-up measures except the Child Behavior Checklist/2–3.

KEY WORDS: language screening, parent report vocabulary checklist, expressive language delay, instrument validation, toddler language delay

Submitted on August 18, 2000
Accepted on December 21, 2000

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Facebook    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. McLeod and L. J. Harrison Epidemiology of Speech and Language Impairment in a Nationally Representative Sample of 4- to 5-Year-Old Children J Speech Lang Hear Res, October 1, 2009; 52(5): 1213 - 1229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Q. Cabell, L. M. Justice, T. A. Zucker, and C. R. Kilday Validity of Teacher Report for Assessing the Emergent Literacy Skills of At-Risk Preschoolers Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, April 1, 2009; 40(2): 161 - 173. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Guiberson Concurrent Validity of a Parent Survey Measuring Communication Skills of Spanish Speaking Preschoolers with and without Delayed Language Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations, October 1, 2008; 15(3): 73 - 81. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Hargrove, M. Griffer, and B. Lund Procedures for Using Clinical Practice Guidelines Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, July 1, 2008; 39(3): 289 - 302. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Zubrick, C. L. Taylor, M. L. Rice, and D. W. Slegers Late Language Emergence at 24 Months: An Epidemiological Study of Prevalence, Predictors, and Covariates J Speech Lang Hear Res, December 1, 2007; 50(6): 1562 - 1592. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. K. Delinicolas and R. L. Young Joint attention, language, social relating, and stereotypical behaviours in children with autistic disorder Autism, September 1, 2007; 11(5): 425 - 436. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Rescorla, G. S. Ross, and S. McClure Language Delay and Behavioral/Emotional Problems in Toddlers: Findings From Two Developmental Clinics J Speech Lang Hear Res, August 1, 2007; 50(4): 1063 - 1078. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Thal, J. L. DesJardin, and L. S. Eisenberg Validity of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories for Measuring Language Abilities in Children With Cochlear Implants Am J Speech Lang Pathol, February 1, 2007; 16(1): 54 - 64. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Luinge, W. J. Post, H. P. Wit, and S. M. Goorhuis-Brouwer The Ordering of Milestones in Language Development for Children From 1 to 6 Years of Age J Speech Lang Hear Res, October 1, 2006; 49(5): 923 - 940. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				US Preventive Services Task Force Screening for Speech and Language Delay in Preschool Children: Recommendation Statement Pediatrics, February 1, 2006; 117(2): 497 - 501. [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. D. Nelson, P. Nygren, M. Walker, and R. Panoscha Screening for Speech and Language Delay in Preschool Children: Systematic Evidence Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force Pediatrics, February 1, 2006; 117(2): e298 - e319. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. Spaulding, E. Plante, and K. A. Farinella Eligibility Criteria for Language Impairment: Is the Low End of Normal Always Appropriate? Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, January 1, 2006; 37(1): 61 - 72. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]