Speech and language therapy assessment based on applied behavior analysis: a scoping review.
Débora Pontes Cavalcante Almeida, Cíntia Alves Salgado Azoni, Larissa Nadjara Alves Almeida and 2 others
PMID 40802297WHAT IT FOUND
Only two ABA-based language assessment tools, VB-MAPP and ABLLS-R, are currently validated for speech therapy.
Neither is validated for Brazilian Portuguese. Training is essential for accurate use, but clinicians should note that cultural adaptation is missing.
Key findings
01The review identified only two ABA-based language assessment protocols used in speech therapy: the VB-MAPP and the ABLLS-R.
02Neither of these two protocols has been validated for Brazilian Portuguese.
03Behavioral skills training resulted in immediate improvements in the ability of professionals to administer the VB-MAPP.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Only five studies were included, which is a very small sample for a scoping review and limits the generalizability of the findings. The review excluded studies that did not focus specifically on language evaluation or did not use ABA-based protocols, potentially missing broader assessment tools. The lack of validation for Brazilian Portuguese means the findings may not directly apply to clinicians working in that specific linguistic and cultural context without further adaptation.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that the VB-MAPP or ABLLS-R are automatically valid or reliable for every patient, particularly in non-US contexts. The review explicitly notes that neither tool is validated for Brazilian Portuguese, and that reliability in specific domains can be inconsistent without proper professional training.