Are you a CELFie?

Sep 14, 2014 by

Are you a CELFie?

With the update and name change of the Test of Language Competence (TLC), the term CELFie takes on a whole new meaning in the world of speech and language pathology. The TLC is now The Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals 5 Metalinguistics. Now that we have two major CELF test batteries, I’m curious. How many of us SLP’s out there are now true CELFies?

I guess I’m a CELFie. I’ve been using the CELF probably since it came out. I easily remember using the CELF 3, 4 and now 5. I used the CELF, back when I still had a typist typing my reports. I’ve always liked it and found it easy to use and reliable. I also liked the Test of Language Competence and used it often with my middle school population and once in a while with my little ones. The TLC desperately needed a makeover. In general, I like the new TLC or as it’s now called The Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals 5 Metalinguistics. Now I have two CELF products that are mainstays in my test battery. My only disappointment is that I purchased the CELF 5 Metalinguistics on good faith without much research and it does not have a component for younger children.

Just because I’m a CELFie does not mean I don’t use my clinical judgement to choose the right subtests and tests for my students based on their need. It just means I find the CELF works well with most students.

Even private practitioners, clinics and hospitals are becoming CELFies. I think this is going to be a problem down the road. We use to turn to outside evaluations to go more in-depth, use other testing to differential diagnose and for second opinions. The last several outside evaluations I’ve read the past 2 years, even language testing as part of neuropsychological evaluations, have consisted primarily of the CELF or subtests of the CELF. This will eventually create one of two out comes, schools will have to accept previous testing from the outside agency or buy other test materials. Both outside agencies and schools will have to keep a close eye on administration dates. I don’t want to be sitting in a meeting and have to tell a parent their outside evaluation, for which they paid dearly for is not valid because the student was given the same test three months earlier. Nor would I want to make the same mistake.

So are you a CELFie?
Have you ever been a CELFie?
What do you like best about being a CELFie?
If you don’t consider yourself a CELFie what is your favorite test battery?
Have you run into difficulty with outside evaluators using the CELF 5 exclusively?

Check out CELF-5 First Impressions
Check out CELF-5 Metalinguistics First Impressions

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3 Comments

  1. Lauren O'Leary

    Do you have a good resource to explain to parents why the tests are not valid if given too closely together? I have been researching but most of the info on reliability and validity is about the test itself, not about accidentally repeating it!

    • Teresa Sadowski MA/SLP-ccc

      Sorry I really don’t have info on that. I would look at some of the testing guidelines psychologists use, you might find it there. I’ll keep looking. If you find a source please share. I have an article started covering something similar. I’m finding a lot of outside agencies/hospitals are not that specialized anymore. Last 3 outside evals I looked at used the CELF.

  2. Marie McGee

    Seems like a pretty obvious issue that most SLPs with a bit of experience would know how to explain without requiring added guidance. Yes, look at school psych testing guidelines, they do those kinds of things every day.

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