Home Language Case Study

Essay assignment: Developmental assessment of a 4.11-year-old adopted Xhosa-speaking child with history of neglect and lack of stimulation.

1. Context and aim of the assessment:

1.1 Biographical information:

Name: Becky

Age: 4 years 11 months

Race: Black

Gender: Female

Home language: Xhosa

Adopted

1.2 Context:

1.2.1. Characteristics:

Becky is a 4 years 11 months black girl who is Xhosa speaking. She has difficulties in her speech and language abilities and only uses a few words. She is very shy and is reluctant to communicate with anyone. Furthermore, Becky is seems to be having tantrums fairly regularly. 1.2.2. Caregiving and living environment:

Becky was adopted at a young age and has a history of neglect and lack of stimulation in

Rationale:

2.1 Reason for referral:

Becky’s adoptive parents were advised to have Becky assessed by a counselling psychologist. They are worried about whether Becky will ever be able to cope at nursery school because she having problems with her speech and language as well as her ability to communicate. It appears that she uses tantrums as means for this deficit.

2.2 Reason for the assessment:

In order to address the reason for referral (whether Becky will be able to cope in nursery school), Becky’s cognitive, language, social and developmental level should be determined. By doing so one will be able to determine whether or not Becky is ready for and will be able to cope with the stresses, tasks, interactions, pressures and responsibilities of nursery school. 2.3 Impact/use of possible results:

The results of the assessment may be used to assess whether or not Becky is ready to start nursery school. The possible results may indicate whether or not Becky’s parents need to wait slightly longer before placing her into nursery school. Furthermore, they may indicate that Becky needs further evaluation or assistance in order to ensure that her language and speech problems may be overcome or their impact reduced.

3. Test

For example, Becky is a black, Xhosa speaking girl, therefore we must ensure that we compile a test battery that will be most beneficial and fair to be. Furthermore, Becky’s age (4years and 11 months) will also affect the type of battery compiled.

The mental, physical and intellectual abilities of the test-taker: when compiling the test battery, we must keep in mind that through a Speech and Language Therapy Service, Becky showed a delay of 12 months in her speech and language skills.

Amount of time available: furthermore, it is important to ensure that they test battery selected will be able to be completed in the amount of time available with the client (Becky). In the case of Becky, is it only possible for Becky’s grandmother to bring her on one day for assessments? Furthermore, how long will it be fair to expect Becky to sit and concentrate on completing the assessment.

Psychometric properties of available measures: Lastly, it is important to consider the psychometric properties of the desired test in order to select the most reliable and valid tests for the client and