Essay
Early childhood assessment
- Institution
- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Becky case study, compiling a test battery, administration, interpretation, and feedback. Mark: 85
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Psychological assessmentAssignment 2
Assignment unique number 822799
Topic: Psychological assessment in early childhood
Page 1 of 16
,Table of Contents
1. Introduction................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Context and aim of the assignment .................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Case study................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Rationale for testing ................................................................................................................... 4
3. Compiling a test battery ................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Screening or diagnostic measure? .............................................................................................. 5
3.2 Infant or preschool measure more appropriate? ......................................................................... 5
3.3 Which assessment measure would you use in this situation? .................................................... 6
3.3.1 Aim and purpose of the measure ......................................................................................... 6
3.3.2 The constructs it measures ................................................................................................... 7
3.3.3 Developmental Assessment Shortcomings .......................................................................... 7
3.3.4 Advantages and disadvantages of the chosen measure? ...................................................... 8
Advantages: .................................................................................................................................. 8
Disadvantages: .............................................................................................................................. 8
3.3.5 Norm group of the measure ................................................................................................. 8
3.3.6 Psychometric properties....................................................................................................... 9
Reliability and Validity................................................................................................................. 9
Predictive Validity ........................................................................................................................ 9
4. Administration, interpretation and feedback ................................................................................. 10
4.1 Administration of the Measure ................................................................................................ 10
4.2 Ethical considerations............................................................................................................... 11
4.3 Results interpretation, who should be involved?...................................................................... 11
4.4 Socio-economic and socio-cultural factors that may affect the results .................................... 12
4.5 Tentative treatment recommendations ..................................................................................... 12
4.6 Comment on the feedback format ............................................................................................ 13
5. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 13
6. References ..................................................................................................................................... 14
7. Plagiarism declaration ................................................................................................................... 16
Page 2 of 16
, 1. Introduction
According to Luiz (in Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018) early childhood development and growth is
important because it has a significant effect on development in the later years. When developmental
and growth difficulties are identified during the early years of a child, proper interventions can be
implemented (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). This shows how important infant and preschool
developmental assessment is. In this article a child with a language and speech delay has been referred
to a counselling psychologist for a diagnostic assessment to have a holistic understanding of the
difficulties the child may be experiencing. A developmental assessment will be conducted with the
child so she can receive help at this early age (four years and 11 months old). Several factors will be
taken into consideration when assessing this specific child and the practitioner will ensure that the
ten principles of infancy and early childhood are considered as well as ethical practices. The measure
utilised in this assessment process is the Griffiths Scale of Child Development- Third Edition
(Griffiths III). The aim of the Griffiths III measure is to assess and track the development of young
children from birth to five years and eleven months (Foxcroft & Roodt,2018; Bedford, et al.,2013;
Samuel, 2014).
2. Context and aim of the assignment
2.1 Case study
Becky is an adopted isiXhosa speaking child, who is four years and 11 months old. Before
her adoption, Becky was a victim of neglect and lack of stimulation. Becky and her parents reside in
a rural area. Becky’s parents realized that she might be experiencing speech and language problems
as her speech did not match that of children who are the same age as Becky. When she was three
years old, Becky was referred by a paediatrician to see a speech and language therapist. An assessment
was conducted, and the results indicated that there was a speech and language delay of approximately
twelve months. Becky’s adoptive parents are concerned because there are times where Becky throws
tantrums and cannot explain herself properly as she uses few words and seems as though she does not
want to talk to anyone. Her foster parents worry that their child would not be able to cope in preschool
as she cannot communicate and express herself properly yet. A further referral for Becky to be
assessed by a counselling psychologist was given to her adoptive parents. However, her grandmother
Page 3 of 16
, will be taking Becky to the appointment since her parents are employed full time. The parents made
an arrangement for the grandmother to represent them and sign the informed consent form on their
behalf. they also requested the psychologist to have the report send to them by an email. (Tutorial
letter PYC4807/101/01/2020).
Becky and her family stay in a rural area. According to Foxcroft and Roodt (2018) an
individual’s social status needs to be taken into consideration when conducting assessments.
Moreover, by doing so an insight of the individual’s growth and development opportunities is
explored in detail (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). Becky’s primary caregiver is her grandmother since her
adoptive parents are employed full time. This indicates that Becky has been spending most of her
time with an old lady and could not be receiving the stimulation children her age should. At the age
Becky is at she should be in pre-school, interacting with other children of her age. Consequently,
having a bad impact on Becky as she might not be getting enough stimulation compared to the one,
she would get in preschool.
Another important factor to take into account when conducting assessments is the individual’s
culture (Foxcroft & Roodt,2018). Foxcroft and Roodt state that an individual’s culture influences
their values, ways in which they do things and the individuals’ norms. Also, if one’s culture is
disregarded, they would be put in an unfair position (Foxcroft & Roodt,2018)
2.2 Rationale for testing
Meisels and Atkins-Burnett (1999) state that the purpose of assessments in early childhood
is to attain knowledge and awareness which will assist the development of the child and functional
capabilities in the family and community. According to Luiz (in Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018) early
childhood development and growth is important because it has a significant effect on development in
the later years. When developmental and growth difficulties are identified during the early years of a
child, proper interventions can be implemented (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). These developmental
difficulties include movement difficulties and speech difficulties (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018).
Additionally, it is important to administer a developmental assessment to Becky because
identification of developmental difficulties at an early age leads to early intervention (Foxcroft &
Roodt, 2018).
Identifying Becky’s developmental problem at this age will help get her suitable interventions
so that she grows with no difficulties. Administering developmental assessments in early childhood
helps identify children with delays in development and ensures that holistic care services are provided
for the child (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2018). These assessments are important to be administered early
because they provide the assessor with an intervention plan that is suitable for an individual (Foxcroft
Page 4 of 16
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