The Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale

Louis Rossetti, PhD

Description
The Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale assesses preverbal and verbal aspects of communication and interaction in the young child. It is intended for use by examiners with a thorough knowledge of child development and communication skills. Behaviors can be directly elicited from the child, directly observed, or reported by parent or caregiver. Results reflect the child's mastery of skills at three-month intervals, across developmental domains tested. Parent Questionnaire and report questions are in English and Spanish, and can be printed from an unlimited-use CD-ROM.

The items are based on observation and developmental behaviors recognized in the field of infant-toddler assessment. Only items considered discriminating and representative of a skill at a given age were included.

The Rossetti has six sections:
• Interaction Attachment Cues and responses that reflect a reciprocal relationship between caregiver and child
• Pragmatics How the child uses language to communicate with others in a social manner
• Gesture Use of gesture to express thought and intent prior to the consistent use of spoken language
• Play Changes in a child's play that reflect development of representational thought
• Language Comprehension Understanding of verbal language with and without linguistic cues
• Language Expression Use of preverbal and verbal behaviors to communicate with others

Administration and Scoring
Testing time varies. Results can be interpreted with the help of severity rating guidelines, which compare the childs performance to known developmental parameters. The Manual includes guidelines for interpretation and reporting of assessment results, and suggestions for therapy goals.