Validity of a Non-Speech Dynamic Assessment of Phonemic Awareness via the Alphabetic Principle

Abstract

Most assessments of phonemic awareness require speech responses and cannot be used with individuals with severe speech impairments who may use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This study investigated the reliability and construct validity of the Dynamic Assessment of Phonemic Awareness via the Alphabetic Principle (DAPA-AP), which does not require speech. In all, 17 adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities completed the DAPA-AP, a letter-sound knowledge task, four measures of phonological awareness, and two reading assessments. Results indicated the DAPA-AP was both a reliable and valid assessment of phonemic awareness for this sample. Consequently, the DAPA-AP represents an important step in developing phonemic awareness assessments that have the potential to be suitable for use with a wide range of individuals, including those with SSI.

Keywords::

• Phonemic awareness
• Reading
• Assessment
• Severe speech impairment
• Alphabetic principle
• Complex communication needs

Acknowledgements

We extend a special thank you to Hugh W. Catts for his assistance in critiquing this manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

This article was written with the support of NIH grants T32 HD057844, P30 HD002528, R01 HD048528 and P30 DC005803, awarded to the University of Kansas.

Note

Notes

1. The KTMT-1214 Add-On Touch Screen for 12–14” Notebook is a product of Keytech, Inc., Garland, TX.