Kearta Dailey

Lab 3

Introduction
This assessment was conducted in order to measure and evaluate Alex a 26-month female after

concern was raised by her parent about her language skills not developing as fast as expected.

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate her language domain and to assess the need of

intervention for the advancement of her language and communication skills. To do so, we used

the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Words & Sentences for Alex. The

MacArthur CDI is a tool that provides a detailed look into a childs vocabulary and breaks down

the grammatical fundamentals being used by the child. By using this assessment tool, we were

able to grasp a better understanding of her communication skills in comparison to other children

her age and gender.

Data Summary
While analyzing words children use the vocabulary checklist included words produced and how

children use words in past, future, absent object production, absent object comprehension and

absent owner. Out of the 680 words on the list Alex used 313 of them which placed her in the

30th percentile in comparison to girls her age. She sometimes or often uses past, future, absent

object production and absent object comprehension to communicate and never uses absent

owner. When it comes to sentence and grammar word endings, word forms, combining,

morphemes and complexity was assessed. She uses plural, possessive and past tense sometimes

or often while never using progressive word endings. Using 6 out of 25-word forms and the

mean of her three longest sentences placed her in the 40th percentile. She received an 8 out of 37

in the complexity section and that put her in the 35th percentile.
Interpretation
Often the percentile score is look at and without knowing its function people make assumptions

based on the numbers they see. However, the percentile provides a ranking and the data

displayed doesnt necessarily mean your child is behind it is just a standing in comparison to

where the other children are in ranking order. Alex was placed in the 30th percentile in

comparison to other girls at the age of 26 months. Seeing as though 70 percent of other children

her age are above her current standing in the area of words produced it is an area of concern.

Recommendation
We recommend a follow up assessment to evaluate Alexs language and communication skills.

We recommend that the parent spend more time reading with Alex to help her with her language

skills to increase her vocabulary. Compared to other children that are in her a bracket and gender

she is in the 30 percentiles.

Reflection
To reflect on this assignment, we were able to get a full understanding of the MacArthur

Communicative Development Inventory: Words & Sentences assessment instrument. We had the

opportunity to interpret and critically evaluate the childs scores, to see if an intervention was

needed. We carefully analyzed the scores of the child to effectively interpret the data to provide

a clear description of her language and communication. We in a group of 2, and for this

assignment we did each section together. We filled out the report sheet and worked together to

write the report. This assignment was very interesting for the both of us because we got a chance
to see thee step by step process of evaluating a child within a specific learning domain, and how

to compare that data to other children.