Development, Reliability, and Concurrent Validity of the American Sign Language Version of the Computerized Revised...

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Audiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Assessing language processing in Deaf individuals using American Sign Language (ASL) presents unique challenges.
• The development of culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools is crucial for accurate evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the test-retest reliability of the American Sign Language version of the Computerized Revised Token Test (CRTT-ASL).
• To compare language processing abilities between Deaf users of ASL and hearing users of ASL through both ASL and English modalities.

Main Methods:

• The CRTT-ASL was developed and validated. Proficient Deaf (DP) and hearing (proficient and nonproficient) ASL users completed the CRTT-ASL and an English reading version (CRTT-R-wf).
• Both tests were administered twice, with a 7-14 day interval, to determine test-retest reliability.

Main Results:

• The CRTT-ASL demonstrated acceptable test-retest reliability for the Deaf ASL user group.
• All groups exhibited adequate test-retest reliability for the CRTT-R-wf.
• Deaf ASL users performed comparably on both CRTT-ASL and CRTT-R-wf, but scored lower on the English reading test compared to hearing groups.

Conclusions:

• The CRTT-ASL appears to be a reliable tool for assessing language processing in Deaf individuals who use ASL.
• Preliminary findings support the use of CRTT-ASL in clinical and research settings for the Deaf signing population.
• The CRTT-ASL may be sensitive to specific lexical processing differences within this population.