A review of standardized tests of nonverbal oral and speech motor performance in children

Purpose: To review the content and psychometric characteristics of 6 published tests currently available to aid in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of motor speech disorders in children. Method: We compared the content of the 6 tests and critically evaluated the degree to which important psychometric characteristics support the tests' use for their defined purposes. Results: The tests varied considerably in content and methods of test interpretation. Few of the tests documented efforts to support reliability and validity for their intended purposes, often when relevant information was probably available during the test's development. Conclusions: Problems with the reviewed tests appear related to overly broad plans for test development and inadequate attention to relevant psychometric principles during the development process. Recommendations are offered for future test revisions and development efforts that can benefit from recent research in test development and in pediatric motor speech disorders.