Static criterion-referenced assessment in Speech and Language Pathology

Abstract

Static norm-referenced assessments have the speech and language pathologists' preference to establish a diagnosis and determine a patient's unusual or pathological profile. However, criterion-referenced assessment tools are relevant to complement the results of standardized evaluative approaches performed in the first instance and to assess patients who cannot be compared to an average population. This article argues for the importance of a criterion-referenced assessment approach in speech-language pathology through state of art.

First, a general definition is suggested further to recent studies focusing on assessments and their taxonomies. This first section is then illustrated by several criterion-referenced assessment tools used in speech-language pathology and remedial education to draw up a list of eight methodological characteristics. Finally, we propose to define this assessment's methodological principles and clinical or pedagogical issues, which still need to be better understood in speech therapy. The proposed conclusions and perspectives allow clinicians to develop a rehabilitation program or observe the evolution of a patient to himself in a functional and systemic approach.