Reliability and Validity of the C-BiLLT: A new Instrument to Assess Comprehension of Spoken Language in young Children with Cerebral Palsy and Complex Communication Needs

Abstract

In clinical practice, a variety of diagnostic tests are available to assess a child's comprehension of spoken language. However, none of these tests have been designed specifically for use with children who have severe motor impairments and who experience severe difficulty when using speech to communicate. This article describes the process of investigating the reliability and validity of the Computer-Based Instrument for Low Motor Language Testing (C-BiLLT), which was specifically developed to assess spoken Dutch language comprehension in children with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs. The study included 806 children with typical development, and 87 nonspeaking children with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs, and was designed to provide information on the psychometric qualities of the C-BiLLT. The potential utility of the C-BiLLT as a measure of spoken Dutch language comprehension abilities for children with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs is discussed.

Keywords::

• Cerebral palsy
• Complex communication needs
• Language test
• Language comprehension
• Validity
• Reliability

Acknowledgments

The authors express special thanks to all children and their parents who participated in this study and contributed to the development of the C-BiLLT. We are grateful for the cooperation of rehabilitation centres, schools for special education and day-care centres throughout the Netherlands (Heliomare, Reade, Trappenberg-Merem, de Hoogstraat, Mytylschool de Regenboog, Mytylschool Amsterdam, Mytylschool de Thermiek, Mytylschool Arianne de Ranitz, Revant [locatie Zeeland], Leypark, Rijndam, Rijnland, Revalidatiecentrum Gouda, OKDC Nifterlake, de Kokkel, de Blauwe Vogel). We are grateful for the cooperation of kindergartens and primary schools throughout the Netherlands.

The authors thank the following persons for assisting with the development of the C-BiLLT, and the collection and management of data: Valentine van den Ancker, Rieneke Baaijens, Lieke Berkhout, Kelly Blackstone, Erica Boone, Nicole Buijze, Vanessa Goos, Aisha de Graaff, Bernadette Haquebard, Laurike Harlaar, Nancy Kersch, Maaike de Kleijn, Jonne Kronemeijer, Kristin Maria, Marieke van der Meijden, Suzanne Mijnans, Katja Schmitt, Karen Schol, Marloes Stam, and Jorieke Valkenburg.

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

The project (2008043) is financially supported by the Phelps Foundation and the Jack Rabbit foundation.