Perceptual Versus Instrumental Evaluation

One of the advantages of perceptual versus instrumental evaluation is the cost and/or availability. The equipment needed for instrumental evaluation is very expensive and may be difficult to obtain depending on the setting where the evaluation is taking place. For perceptual analysis on the other hand the clinician can perform the analysis herself or can have someone else complete the analysis for little to no money. Additionally, with the expensive equipment needed for instrumental analysis the clinician and/or researcher has to be cautious about young children breaking or damaging the equipment, which is not a risk with perceptual analysis.
Similarly, using equipment to complete evaluations carries the risk of malfunctions. Using technological equipment always leaves a possibility that the machine will not work properly due to a glitch or failure of some kind. Machines need to be frequently calibrated before, during and after use to ensure accurate readings. If this is not done or too much time passes between calibrations the readings obtained will be incorrect and the results will not be useful. Furthermore, if the equipment is placed on the client incorrectly or the client moves around and jostles the equipment resulting in an altered placement it …show more content…
Children are often frightened by having to wear or interact with technology that is unfamiliar to them. Furthermore, having to have a camera placed into their nasal cavity or having to wear a bulky device on their head will often lead to them shutting down. When this occurs, the child may preform below their typical level just based on their emotional state. With perceptual evaluations, the client just has to talk or read, which is more naturalistic for children and results in increased participation and a more natural picture of their abilities and typical