Are the Irish norms for the DEAP valid for a local population?

Background: Standardised assessments provide a means of objectively identifying and diagnosing speech sound disorders to determine eligibility for speech and language services (Broomfield and Dodd 2004; Dodd et al. 2009; Skahan et al. 2007). Normative data is provided for comparison with a clinical population; discrepancies in this comparison may indicate a speech sound disorder. The Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (DEAP) is a standardised assessment that allows for the identification of children with speech sound disorders. The Irish standardisation of the DEAP was based two geographical areas- Dublin and Galway. Consequently it may not be representative of Irish children in other areas. Objectives: To determine whether normative data for the Irish standardisation of the DEAP is valid for children in Limerick .To determine whether social economic status (SES) affects the rate of phonological acquisition. Methods: 56 typically developing children aged between 3.0-5.0, 22 boys and 34 girls. Mono-lingual English-speaking children. Two subtests from the DEAP (Dodd et al. 2002) were used to assess the child’s speech abilities- The Diagnostic Screener and The Phonological Assessment. Results: Percentage Phonemes Correct: This study found that children’s speech accuracy generally increases as they get older. The developmental trajectory of PCC was similar to the DEAP norms apart from age group 3.06-3.11. Normative data for the Irish standardisation of the DEAP was valid for children in Limerick in the assessment of PCC with the exception of age group 4:04-4:11. There were also no significant differences found between SES groups. Age of acquisition of phonemes: Some inconsistencies were noted. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicated that normative data for the Irish standardisation of the DEAP was valid for children in Limerick with the exception of age group 4:04-4:11. Some discrepancies in speech accuracies measures between this study and the Irish standardisation of the DEAP were noted but this may be a result of the limitations of the study.