What is the Goldman Fristoe Articulation Test?
The Goldman Fristoe Articulation Test is widely used by speech pathologists throughout the United States as a tool to assess children’s speech development. Developed by Dr. Ronald Goldman and Dr. Macalyne Fristoe, this test can assess and yield information about a child’s progress, ability, and other measures of speech production. It can be administered on infants and youth of all ages (until age 21) with the ability to compare the child’s individual status against national standardized norms. Goldman and Fristoe both have significant experience in speech pathology, and have created this test out of their own need to help their clients. When researching this test, you may find that there is now a second edition available. This edition includes tables of standardized norms, as well as updated pictures that are void of cultural bias.
Sampling a child’s spontaneous and imitative sound production helps to build a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses. This test can be easily administered in less than 15 minutes using picture cards and consonant sounds. This short test can create a clear trusted picture for speech language pathologists.
Gender-Based Speech Therapy
Different stages and areas of speech can be tested in accordance with the child’s age and gender. Many relationship studies have suggested that the male and female sex communicate differently, and this starts the moment we begin to learn language. Women learn language abstractly while men learn based on sensory cues.
It can be explained best with the cliché related to men and women’s style of directions. Women will give directions with abstract and additional cues, “go one block north and turn right after you pass the bakery.” Men will give directions in a simpler manner without abstract cues or landmarks, “go north on Willow and turn right on Ash.”
Because of the differences in male and female language processing, different instruction will benefit one sex, but not the other. Boys may benefit from lecture and reading, while girls are more apt to learn with more abstract approaches, and information-laden learning. The importance of gender differentiated results is something that the Goldman Fristoe standardized test results takes into account. It is vital to know the differences in learning so that any therapy given is most successful to the child.
Chicago Speech Therapy Can Help
Perhaps your child is showing difficulty mimicking the sounds you make, or producing ones of their own. If you have any questions on your child’s language progress, have a speech pathologist conduct this short test. This quick test can provide lots of information about your child’s language assessment, and help you to decide whether or not to enter into therapy.