title: Current Methods of Evaluating Speech-Language Outcomes for Preschoolers With Communication Disorders: A Scoping Review Using the ICF-CY.
abstract: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify current measures used to evaluate speech-language outcomes for preschoolers with communication disorders within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY; World Health Organization, 2007).
  
  
  
  The review involved 5 phases outlined by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and further developed by Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien (2010): (a) articulating the research question; (b) identifying relevant studies; (c) selecting studies; (d) charting the data; and (e) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. The ICF-CY was used to frame the measures included.
  
  
  
  A total of 214 relevant peer-reviewed publications were included in the review. Most publications used measures to evaluate changes in outcomes for Activities (65%), followed by measures evaluating changes in Body Functions (20%), and finally measures evaluating changes at the level of Participation (15%). There has been a slight increase in the evaluation of Participation-based outcomes in the past 4 years (2012-2015).
  
  
  
  The review revealed a dearth of measures in the pediatric speech-language literature that address Participation-based outcomes. The authors strongly advocate for the use of Participation-based outcome measures to detect meaningful change in the lives of children and families.
authors.affiliation: CanChild, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Barbara Jane
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cincinnati, OH.
authors.forename: Karla N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Binns
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Katelyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rolfe
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: CanChild, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*