Participants/Parent/Guardian wanting to learn more about the testing process.
An individual is eligible to participate in this study if:
We are not evaluating participants’ language skills. Participants’ responses will help us to evaluate items that can later be used to assess higher order or figurative language skills of individuals ages 2 to 25 years.
The items on the Test of Higher Order Language become gradually more difficult to answer. Therefore, a participant will find some questions more difficult. Participants’ performance on the test items will tell us what higher order or figurative language skill to expect in different age groups.
In order to be a participant in this study, one must be able to read and speak English even if it is not their first language. We are interested in understanding how participants, for whom English is not their first language, develop higher order or figurative language skills in English. The Family Background Questionnaire asks if a participant speaks a language(s) other than English at home.
Having difficulty reading or not liking to read much should not make a big difference. To make sure that all participants hear the same information, all the items and answer options in the Test of Higher Order Language are pre-recorded and played to the participants. Therefore, even those with reading difficulties can participate.
To date, we have not found this to be an issue. However, if a participant finds the testing process to be boring, they can say so. The person who is doing the testing is trained to identify if a participant is bored or is upset during the testing process. If they realize that the participant is bored or upset, they will give them a short break. If after the break the participant is still upset, the tester may decide to end the testing process.
Having a learning disability may or may not interfere with the ability to comprehend or use higher order language. We are interested in understanding how participants with and without learning disabilities develop higher order or figurative language skills. The Family Background Questionnaire asks if a participant has any learning difficulties. Knowing this information will help us understand what to expect of participants with different abilities and experiences.
No. To complete the test, it is important to have a quiet area that is free from distractions. Therefore, engaging in the testing process outside your home in any public area such coffee shops or even libraries is not possible.
It is most important to have a quiet area that is free from distractions. It is also important that there are no people in the immediate area of testing. When scheduling their testing, participants should consider a time when there will be no (or fewer) distractions in their home.
No. We are not sharing with anyone the test scores and any other information that participants provide. At the end of the study, we will prepare a summary of the group findings that can be shared Online on our website or sent to participants electronically. In the Consent Form, we ask participants to provide their email address if they want to receive an electronic version of the report.
It is important to collect background information such as the child’s age, years of schooling, language background, ability level, parent(s)’ education, etc. This can help us to understand what can be expected from participants of different ages, abilities, and experiences. This will also allow us to identify the developmental aspects of the Test of Higher Order Language for different groups of participants.
We do not want to miss any of the responses the participants give. Audio recording is the best way to accurately capture their responses and the reasons they provide for their responses.
Previous participants told us that they noticed how much higher order or figurative language is used in everyday conversations in class or at work, in sayings, songs, books, or advertisements. Appreciation of higher order or figurative language also can be helpful in everyday interactions and understanding meanings beyond what is being said.