Assessments
Our topic for symposium this week covered various types of assessments that can be used for music therapy. We each presented on a different assessment and discussed what it addresses, the target age range, and how the assessment is administered. The main assessments we discussed were the ALST, the SRS-2, and the PEDI.
The Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST) examines functioning levels of speech and language for children 11 to 18 years of age. A series of verbal and visual cues are included, prompting open-ended and yes/no answers to address three domains: Language use, language content, and language form. The purpose of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) is to assess social skills among children of various ages. Four types of forms can be used depending on the ages of the clients: ages 2.5 to 4.5, ages 4.5 to 18, ages 19 and up, and an adult self-report. The assessment is administered in everyday settings, such as at home or in a classroom, and can be given by teachers, parents, and others with whom the client interacts with on a regular-basis. A quantitative scale is used to evaluate symptoms, which reflect the severity of ASD demonstrated by the client. Five areas are addressed in this assessment, including social awareness, social cognition, social communication, social motivation, and restricted interests and repetitive behavior.
Finally, the last assessment we discussed was the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). The purpose is to assess functional skills and performance in children with disabilities, ages six months to 7.5 years. The PEDI can either be administered by a professional clinician who is familiar with the child, or by a parent report and structured interview. Three domains are addressed, including self-care, mobility, and social function. It consists of a questionnaire, evaluating the child’s engagement in daily functional tasks within these three domains (i.e. brushing teeth, eating food, etc.). A child’s performance of daily functional skills are measured by the level of caregiver assistance needed to achieve the tasks.
In conclusion, assessments are a vital part of music therapy. They address non-musical domains in which a child needs help in, and provide a baseline for measuring progress when music is added. There are many other types of assessments that can be used outside of the ALST, SRS-2, and PEDI. The age of the child and the areas you are assessing can determine which assessment to use.
