Check list for Childhood Apraxia of Speech in spanish-speaking population: Translation and validation

Abstract

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), is a rare disorder during childhood, and it can trigger serious consequences in the future if not treated promptly. The existing diagnostic methods for this disorder are found in the English language only, which leads to difficulties in finding valid and agreed diagnostic methods by speech therapists to apply to the Spanish-speaking population. Hence, this study aims to provide the translation of an evaluation tool which is suitable for Spanishspeaking countries and that facilitates phonoaudiological work in the diagnosis. The method that will be used is that of translation-retranslation, to which the analysis of an expert opinion will be incorporated to give validity to the instrument. The results expose a wide acceptance of the instrument (94% of positive results) with substantial agreement among experts (IRR inter rater reliability), presented as agreement probability for the entire instrument of 0.57 (57%). In conclusion, this study provides a research pattern for AHI, to facilitate the early phonoaudiological evaluation of children, allowing the patients to access reliable care regarding to diagnosis.