Preschool Language Scales, Fifth Edition (PLS-5)

Preschool Language Scales, Fifth Edition (PLS-5), US VERSIONAuthor(s): Irla Lee Zimmerman, PhD, Violette G. Steiner, BS & Roberta Evatt Pond, MA

– Interactive assessment of developmental language skills.

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  Administration: Pointing or verbal response to pictures and objects Completion Time: 45-60 minutes
  
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  Scores: Total language, auditory comprehension, expressive communication, standard scores, growth scores, percentile ranks, language age equivalentsScoring Options: Hand scoring
  
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  Scales: Auditory Comprehension, Expressive Communication
  
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  Supplemental tests: Articulation Screener, Language Sample, Home Communication Questionnaire
  
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  Screening: Research-based criterion scores by age
  
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  Ages / Grades: Birth to 7:11

PLS-5 offers you a comprehensive developmental language assessment, with items that range from pre-verbal, interaction-based skills to emerging language to early literacy! This interactive, play-based assessment provides you with comprehensive, reliable, and trusted information about language skills for children birth through age 7.

Content & Administration

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  Administer PLS-5 to test a full range of language skills across the developmental language spectrum
  
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  Link the Home Communication Questionnaire items directly to test tasks to serve as a baseline for testing. This frees testing time for observing natural interactions between parents and children from Birth–2:0.
  
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  Address the needs of children through age 7 who have severe, persistent deficits such as autism or severe developmental delays

Use PLS-5 to:

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  Target interaction, attention, vocal/gestural behaviors, and different levels of play for children from Birth to 2:11
  
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  Assess preschoolers with new items for letter naming and book handling, and updated school readiness skills
  
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  Target language skills that tap Theory of Mind and emergent literacy skills for 6- and 7-year-olds
  
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  Assess children at age 7 with new language tasks such as assessing use of irregular plurals and synonyms, constructing sentences using two or three target words in the sentence, and answering questions about a story

Features & Benefits

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  NEW! Track progress using Growth Scores to monitor a child’s skills from Birth through age 7:11
  
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  Address a wider variety of early play behaviors
  
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  Better elicit target responses due to test item modifications that are based on examiner feedback
  
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  Minimize transitions between the play and picture pointing tasks now that test items with manipulatives are grouped to streamline administration
  
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  Engage children with the new Picture Manual featuring large, colorful illustrations
  
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  Target multiple phonemes within words using the brief Articulation Screener, which now includes picture stimuli
  
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  Many of the manipulatives are plastic (including Mr. Bear!) so they can be wiped clean after each administration

Psychometric Information:

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  1,400 children participated in the standardization normative sample, collected in more than 45 states in the United States
  
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  The standardization sample matches U.S. Census figures (March 2008 Update) for region, race/ ethnicity, and level of caregiver education
  
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  Norms are reported for 3-month intervals for children Birth to 11 months and 6-month intervals for ages 12 months through 7 years, 11 months
  
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  Clinical studies include a developmental delay study and three language disorder studies (children with receptive language disorder, expressive language disorder, and both receptive and expressive disorder)
  
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  Case studies include children identified as high risk (environmental risk) and children identified with autism
  
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  Multiple reviews for bias were conducted throughout the test development. Nationally recognized experts in assessment and bias issues conducted a thorough review of test items and art. An additional sample of African American and Hispanic children were tested to conduct the statistical analysis of bias.
  
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  Split half reliabilities range from .80 to .97. Sensitivity for the Total Language score is .83; specificity is .80.

Materials:

In addition to the Examiner’s Manual, Administration Scoring Manual, record Forms, and Home Communication Questionnaire, the following manipulatives are needed for administration**:

Purchase options:

0158658906 Basic Kit – Includes: Examiner’s Manual, Administration Scoring Manual, Picture Manual, Home Communication Questionnaire (25), and Record Forms (15)

015865899X Upgrade Manipulative Kit (for those who already have the PLS-4 Manipulatives set) – Includes: Plastic Bear, Comb, Crayons (8), Books (2), Pitcher, Cars (2) Opaque Box with Lid, Plastic Bowl (1) 0158659880 Complete Kit with Manipulatives – Includes: Examiner’s Manual, Administration Scoring Manual, Picture Manual, Record Forms (15), Home Communication Questionnaire (25), and Complete Manipulatives Kit 0158659899 Complete Manipulatives Kit – Includes: Plastic Bear, Comb, Crayons (8), Books (2), Pitcher, Cloth, Rattles (2), Ball, Plastic Bowls (3), Cups (3), Spoons (3), Squeaky Toy, Cars (3), Wind Up Toys (2), Box with Lid Please specify your choice.