Language assessment in primary-school-age - sensitivity and specificity of the SET 5-10

Language impairment is the most common developmental disorder up to school entry. Optimized and reliable diagnosis is a vital prerequisite for early-onset therapeutic or further assistance measures. The present study examines the potential of the SET 5-10 (Sprachstandserhebungstest fur Kinder im Alter zwischen 5 und 10 Jahren; Language assessment Test for children aged 5 to 10 years) for the identification of children with impaired and unimpaired language development. Language abilities of 100 children with impaired and unimpaired language development were assessed with the SET 5-10. Sensitivity and specificity as well as predictive values of the SET 5-10 scales were determined. Coefficients of sensitivity range from 0,66 and 0,96, specificity varies between 0,84 and 0,96. 85 % to 96 % percent of positive classifications by SET scales are correct. Results suggest that the SET 5-10 can indeed differentiate between children with impaired and unimpaired language development in the group of seven-to ten-year-olds.