Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Test, 3rd Edition (REEL-3)

What ages is this test made for?

The REEL-3 can be used for infants and toddlers starting from birth and up to three years old.

What does this test assess?

The REEL-3 is designed to help identify infants and toddlers who are at risk of developing a language delay or disorder. This test assesses the early development of expressive receptive and expressive language through a caregiver's report.

How is this assessment conducted?

The REEL-3 is conducted via caregiver interview with a qualified examiner. The interview consists of a 132-item checklist and questions require only a yes or no answer. Supplementary questions within the test manual may be asked when test answers are ambivalent and more insight is warranted.

This assessment has two subtests that make up the Language Ability composite, receptive and expressive language, as well as a supplementary vocabulary inventory test.

The scores reported from this test include standard scores, percentile ranks, and age equivalents. The REEL-3 is not used to make a diagnosis, but rather it is an aide in clinical judgment that can help identify potential risks.

Strengths and weaknesses of the REEL-3

One strength of the REEL-3 is that it has high reliability (exceeding .90), which means that the test will produce results that are consistent if the test is repeated.

Also, this assessment being measured solely by parent interview has both advantages and disadvantages

• One advantage of an interview-based assessment is that the child is not required to be present and the interview can be taken over the phone if need be.

• A possible disadvantage of the parent-interview design is the lack of flexibility within the interview, allowing only yes or no answers. There is a possibility of caregiver bias as well, as with any interview-based assessment.