Insufficient Evidence for the Validity of the Language Development Survey and the Macarthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories as Screening Tools: A Critical Review
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders
Eriksson, M. (2023).
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 58(2), 555-575.
This systematic review investigates the validity of the Language Development Survey and the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories as screening instruments for the identification of language difficulties in children.
University of Gävle (Sweden)
Not specified
All study designs
16
<div>Across studies, the Language Development Survey demonstrated sensitivity ranging from 53% to 94% and specificity ranging from 67% to 97%. The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories demonstrated sensitivity ranging from 33% to 97% and specificity ranging from 79% to 100%. Limitations of poor methodological rigor and significant bias (i.e., spectrum, verification, and review biases) were noted across studies. As such, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence to support the use of these two screening tools in the identification of language difficulties.</div>
