Language Assessment
Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals- 5th Edition (CELF-5)
The gold-standard comprehensive language assessment
Overview of the CELF-5
The Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Fifth Edition (CELF-5), is a comprehensive and widely used assessment tool for evaluating the language skills of children and teenagers. Developed by Pearson Clinical, the CELF-5 is designed to assess a range of language abilities essential for academic and social success.
Ages: 5- 21 years
Areas that are assessed:
semantics (vocabulary knowledge)
syntax (sentence structure)
morphology (word forms)
listening comprehension
expressive language skills
Time to administer: Up to 75 minutes
Tasks that are required: Include answering questions, completing sentences, following directions, and describing pictures.
Results: The CELF-5 results in a comprehensive profile of the child’s language skills, enabling the speech pathologist to make informed diagnostic and intervention decisions.
Why is it used?
The CELF-5 is popular among speech pathologists due to its reliability and validity in diagnosing language disorders and determining appropriate intervention strategies. It helps identify specific areas of strength and weakness in a child's language development, which is essential for developing targeted therapy plans tailored to each child's unique needs.
In practice, the CELF-5 is used for various purposes. It is instrumental in diagnosing language disorders such as specific language impairment, language delays, and language difficulties associated with conditions like autism spectrum disorder or learning disabilities like dyslexia. The assessment results help guide treatment planning by highlighting areas that require intervention, such as vocabulary development, sentence structure, or comprehension skills.
Additionally, the CELF-5 is valuable for tracking progress over time and evaluating the effectiveness of speech therapy interventions. By re-administering the assessment at regular intervals, speech pathologists can measure improvement in language skills and adjust therapy goals accordingly.
CELF-5 assessment at Ready Steady Speech
At Ready Steady Speech, Madi offers the CELF-5 assessment for students aged 5-21.
Students aged 5-21
At Ready Steady Speech, we prioritise a comprehensive and client-centred approach when implementing the CELF-5 assessment for children.
Our assessment package includes the administration of the CELF-5, a comprehensive assessment report, and a 1-hour feedback meeting with parents and/or teachers.
Assessment: Madi offers flexibility in scheduling the assessment, allowing for either one or two sessions based on what is most suitable for the child’s needs and attention span. To optimise assessment performance, it is recommended to schedule sessions earlier in the day to minimise fatigue and maximise the child’s attention and cooperation. The assessment is administered in a comfortable and quiet environment, and parents can be in the room if desired.
Comprehensive report: Following the assessment, Madi will compile a detailed and informative report within 10 business days, highlighting the child’s language strengths, areas of concern, and specific diagnostic findings. The report is suitable to be shared with other professionals, including teachers, GP’s, paediatricians, etc.
Feedback meeting: The feedback meeting after a CELF-5 assessment is crucial for discussing results, understanding implications, and receiving personalised recommendations from the speech pathologist. It empowers parents and teachers to make informed decisions and implement effective intervention strategies to support the child's language development.
Package cost: $899. Assessment is also available separately and priced at the standard hourly rate.
Throughout the process, open and clear communication will be maintained, and updates on timelines, results, and next steps will be provided in a supportive and collaborative manner. At Ready Steady Speech, the goal is to deliver high-quality assessments that inform personalised intervention plans and empower families with valuable insights in their child’s language development.
