About dynamic assessment within the field of Speech & Language

Standardised language tests are very good at telling us what language structures a child does not understand or use correctly. Although the tests do not claim to make recommendations for intervention, the nature of the findings often leads the therapists to design and select interventions focusing on language problems identified in the tests. Dynamic Assessment aims to find out much more detailed information about a child´s capabilities. Asking probing questions and giving clues enables the SLT to find out whether the child understands the task, the underlying concepts involved, and the rules, and whether he is able to generalise the knowledge to new examples. It can also be used to find out whether the child recognises when the structure is used correctly or when it is wrong. Finally,it also looks at the childs respons to intervention and mediation. Are they willing to listen and learn? Do they catch on quickly, or do they require lots of repetition? Do they need visual support to enable them to remember? This detailed information helps the therapist or teacher plan a more effective intervention programme.

 

Dynamic assessment can be used to address a range of language domains:

Phonology

Morphology

Word level

Sentence level

Narrative and discourse

 

Dynamic assessment can be conducted using a variety of methods, such as the Test-Teach-Retest format, the Graduated Prompt approach, the Mediated Intervention approach and Testing-the-Limits with graduated feedback. Within the last decade we have seen several new tests that build on the dynamic approach to assessment within the area of Speech & Language assessment as well as a growing body of research, making DA a relevant supplementary tool for most SLT´s to have in their toolbox.

 

 

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 DYNAMIC ASSESSMENT FOR SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPISTSThe Dynamic Assessment of Language Learning

- A hands-on training course for speech & language therapists

DOWNLOAD COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM THIS LINK

SIGN UP ONLINE FOR THE COURSE HERE

Introduction

We are happy to offer our first international course in Speech & Language Dynamic Assessment 21st-22nd of April and 9th of June 2020. The course is organized by Neuroguide.dk. Teacher is Natalie Hasson, author of the book “The Dynamic Assessment of Language Learning”, an experienced practitioner in conducting and teaching Dynamic Assessment within the field of Speech & Language.

Within the speech-hearing and linguistic-communicative field, the dynamic approach to assessment has internationally shown great potential as a supplementary assessment to normbased testing. The approach is relevant both to specific and more general issues and also to multilingual children.

 

Course description
Dynamic Assessment is a complementary or alternate set of assessment and intervention procedures that have been used by psychologists to assess underlying cognitive abilities required for a range of learning and developmental needs. The concepts of Dynamic assessment have more recently been adopted for the assessment of language and communication skills, for which they have relevance in all language contexts, and for a range of clinical groups. Many of these groups are those for whom standardized tests of language are unsuitable. The course will enable participants to use existing dynamic assessments of language, and to adapt tasks to assess children and adults in various aspects of language.


The course will draw on the most up-to-date research and test development within the field of dynamic assessment of language. The course combines theoretical teaching, introduction to the core concepts and practical training in the dynamic approach to assessment, enabling participants to implement dynamic methods in their clinical practice. The methods and tools are relevant in relation to working with individuals with special educational needs, learning disorders, language disorders, linguistic minority backgrounds and hearing impairments.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

  • To introduce participants to the concepts and methods of Dynamic assessments, and how they apply to the assessment of language.
  • To enable participants to become familiar with a range of DA methods and understand how they can be applied to assessment of different parts of the language system.
  • To enable participants to acquire the skills to interpret findings and develop interventions based on their DA findings in clinical settings.
  • To introduce participants to the notion of Mediated Learning and its practical application within dynamic assessment and within interventions by Speech and Language Therapists.
  • To develop the ability to use Dynamic Assessment alongside selected standardized tests creating a blended model of assessment in practice.
  • To build on skills taught in the initial workshop through discussion, questions and reflections arising from practice, in the second module.


Practical information

Dates
The course is a two-module course. International participants can choose only to attend the first module or attend both modules. The first module will provide you with an understanding Dynamic Assessment and enable you to start integrating dynamic assessment in your assessment practice. Module two is a follow-up practicum module, where we you will have the chance to get further inspiration, methodological guidelines and support to reflect on your practical experiences.

Module 1: 21st-22nd of April 2020
Module 2: 9th of June 2020

Course hours:

21st of April: 9.30am - 4.30pm.
22nd of April: 9am - to 4pm.

9th of June: 9.30am - 4.30pm.

A light breakfast will be available every course day from half an hour before the course starts. Detailed schedule will be sent to participants prior to course start.

Course venuemap of denmark

The course will be held in the central part of Odense in a short walking distance from the central station. Adress: Mødecenter (Meeting center) Odense, Buchwaldsgade 48, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.


Course format

The course is an external course (accommodation not included). The course is conducted as a combination of presentations, video analyses, exercises and discussion. Between the two course modules, participants are encouraged to practice the methods presented at the course, and bring questions and reflections to the second module.
Please note: The course is conducted in easily understandable English. Selected parts of the course material will be translated into Danish (as well as supplied in English).

Price

Course price is 3950 DKK (Danish currency) for module 1 and 5900 DKK for both modules, which includes:

  • Teaching and teaching materials
  • The book “The Dynamic Assessment of Language Learning”
  • Breakfast, lunch, tea and coffee during the day

The course price does not include accommodation. In case of cancellation of the course, due to few participants, teacher illness etc. the full course fee will be repaid.

Registration and further information

You can sign up for the course online through this link: https://neuroguide.nemtilmeld.dk/10/ or you can write an email to course organizer: Neuroguide.dk, psychologist Jens Wilbrandt, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You will then get an invoice with bank transfer information. Or you can call phone +45 22 32 44 01 if you want to ask or discuss anything.

Last deadline for enrollment is 1st of April 2020. After this date, please contact us and ask if it is still possible to sign up for the course.

Participant eligibility

The course is relevant for Speech & Language Therapists and professionals with similar background.

Course content

Module 1:

  • What is Dynamic Assessment (DA)
  • The Mediational Method
  • Cognitive dynamic assessments that have informed thinking about DA for SLT
  • DA in assessment of Speech and Language
  • Why and How is DA applicable to SLT
  • Previous research into DA in SLT
  • Practical session using the DA of narrative
  • The Dynamic Assessment of Sentence Structure (DASS)
  • How other aspects of language can be assessed using DA methods (with reference to known standardized assessments)

Module 2 will focus on participants experiences, practical use, implementation and adaptation of materials. The detailed program for this module will tailored to the group and the needs that arise from participants practicum experience.

Course organizer and teacher

Natalie HassonTeacher throughout the course
Natalie Hasson is teacher during the entire course. Natalie has a background in Speech and Language Therapy, as well as clinical linguistics, and has many years of both clinical experience working with children with language disorders and hearing impairments, and of lecturing experience, training Speech and Language Therapy students in language development, developmental language disorders and clinical skills. After training in the intervention methods of IE, Natalie trained in DA, learning the LPAD amongst educational psychologists, before specializing in the DA of language, and pursuing original PhD research into the Dynamic Assessment of Sentence Structure. Natalie, and colleagues at City University London, have travelled widely throughout the UK, running short courses and seminars about DA of language. Currently Natalie also works as a Registered Intermediary supporting vulnerable child witnesses and victims in the Criminal Justice System.

Course organizer and providerda webside6 jens
The course is provided and organized by Neuroguide.dk, psychologist Jens Wilbrandt. Jens Wilbrandt has many years of experience in the special education field and is qualified in an broad area of dynamic assessment and mediated learning methods (LPAD, DAYC, IE, CAP, Bright Start). He is an exponent of a development-oriented educational psychological approach and has many years of experience as a facilitator, lecturer and course teacher in the neuropsychological, and educational psychological field. In addition to carrying out a wide range of continued professional development tasks, he works with dynamic assessment, cognitive training and counseling in relation to children and adolescents with extensive learning and development issues, both in relation to school, home and home care.