This essay seeks to discuss the impact of informal assessment use on a child such as Jack. Informal assessment is defined as; a non-standardised, play-based assessment which is often manipulated by a clinician. (McCormick, 2011)
During an informal assessment, a SALT will play alongside or observe a child playing. Jack’s mother reported that he will not sit with her to read, therefore it is unlikely he will sit through a formal assessment. An informal assessment would be appropriate as it can be designed to focus on Jack’s interests. This may capture his attention and enable a SALT to elicit a speech sample. Contrastively, Jack may not engage in the play as he was shy throughout the initial appointment and preferred to sit with his mother. …show more content…
Clinicians can use dynamic approaches to identify helpful strategies to meet the child’s needs and can manipulate the situation to gain required information. A dynamic assessment would benefit Jack by ensuring adaptation and scaffolding occur to enhance his development. On the other hand, critiques claim assessment manipulation is problematic due to experimenter biases.
A disadvantage of non-standardised assessments is results are incomparable to children of the same age. Consequently, Jack’s scores cannot be compared to a normal developmental chart meaning the evaluation of his overall performance would be difficult. Furthermore, informal assessments negatively allow for individual variation therefore, it is impossible to categorise disorders. Critiques claim this is advantageous as it analyses each child individually and pinpoints their own difficulties rather than comparing them. (The speech centre,
During an informal assessment, a SALT will play alongside or observe a child playing. Jack’s mother reported that he will not sit with her to read, therefore it is unlikely he will sit through a formal assessment. An informal assessment would be appropriate as it can be designed to focus on Jack’s interests. This may capture his attention and enable a SALT to elicit a speech sample. Contrastively, Jack may not engage in the play as he was shy throughout the initial appointment and preferred to sit with his mother. …show more content…
Clinicians can use dynamic approaches to identify helpful strategies to meet the child’s needs and can manipulate the situation to gain required information. A dynamic assessment would benefit Jack by ensuring adaptation and scaffolding occur to enhance his development. On the other hand, critiques claim assessment manipulation is problematic due to experimenter biases.
A disadvantage of non-standardised assessments is results are incomparable to children of the same age. Consequently, Jack’s scores cannot be compared to a normal developmental chart meaning the evaluation of his overall performance would be difficult. Furthermore, informal assessments negatively allow for individual variation therefore, it is impossible to categorise disorders. Critiques claim this is advantageous as it analyses each child individually and pinpoints their own difficulties rather than comparing them. (The speech centre,