The Development of an Assessment Manual for 4th Grade Oral and Written Narratives

Abstract

Despite advances in hearing technology, children with hearing loss remain at risk for having oral and written language difficulties. Assessing a child’s narrative ability is one of the most informative methods of measuring language competence. In-depth analyses of narrative ability in children with hearing loss, particularly children who use cochlear implants, are lacking. Furthermore, there is a clear need for research examining the differences in oral and written narrative skills in children with hearing loss. The purpose of this project was to develop an assessment tool that evaluates oral and written narrative abilities in school age children. This document reviews current research on narrative abilities in children with hearing loss, discusses the need for a single assessment tool analyzing both oral and written narrative abilities, and presents the developed tool.