Purpose: Receptive Core / Expressive Core / Social Communication Core / Social Communication Inventory
Ages: 5-0 years to 12-11 years
Administration Time: RESCA-E core subtests can be administered in one hour or less.

Description
Based on current research and designed for today’s child, the RESCA-E was developed to provide essential information to professionals and parents about a child’s receptive, expressive, and social communication language skills. It targets critical areas of language development which are often included in IEPs and treatment plans but are difficult or impossible to objectively measure with existing tests for the elementary-age population.

The RESCA-E combines standardized tests with informal observation across different settings to give a more complete picture of a child’s communication skills.

The RESCA-E has 14 components, organized into three cores. Subtests can be selectively utilized to target specific skill areas. The three cores, their component subtests, and associated supplemental subtests are:
RECEPTIVE Core
Three subtests target receptive language at the word, sentence, and narrative levels:

• Comprehension of Vocabulary and Concepts
• Comprehension of Oral Direction Concepts
• Comprehension of Stories and Questions

Receptive Supplemental Subtests
Two supplemental subtests provide more detailed information:

• Comprehension of Basic Morphology and Syntax Concepts
• Executing Oral Directions

EXPRESSIVE Core
Three subtests target expressive language at the word, sentence, and narrative levels:

• Expressive Labeling of Vocabulary and Concepts
• Expressive Skills for Describing and Explaining
• Narrative Skills

Expressive Supplemental Subtest

• Expressive Use of Basic Morphology and Syntax Concepts

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION Core
Three subtests make up the Social Communication Core. These are supplemented by one optional subtest (Elicited Body Language) and an observational scale to provide information about both a child’s "testable" social-language knowledge and also his or her observed social behavior in the real world:

• Comprehension of Body Language and Vocal Emotion
• Social and Language Inference
• Situational Language Use

Social Communication Supplemental Subtest

• Elicited Body Language

Social Communication Observational Scale

• Social Communication Inventory (SCI)

The SCI is a 28-item behavior rating scale that gathers information on how a child interacts with others across settings. It provides a more holistic picture of a child’s social communication skills and can be completed by either parents or professionals.

Data collection was based on a nationally representative sample of 825 children ages 5-0 through 12-11 years. Results of reliability and validity studies are provided in the technical manual.

Administration and Scoring
RESCA-E core subtests can be administered in one hour or less. Scaled scores are provided for subtests; standard scores are provided for cores and the overall score. Discrepancy scores allow comparison of performance across subtests.

Test Kit includes: Administration Manual, Technical Manual, Receptive Language Test Plates, Expressive Language and Social Communication Test Plates, 20 Record Forms, 20 Social Communication Inventories, 20 Picture Worksheets, Administration CD, and accessories, in a sturdy carry bag.

Author: Patti Hamaguchi, MA, CCC-SLP & Deborah Ross-Swain, EdD, CCC-SLP