The Stycar language test.

The principles and practical application of the STYCAR Developmental Language Test are briefly described. The test, which is one of the STYCAR series (Sheridan Tests for Young Children and Retardates, Sheridan 1973), consists of three widely overlapping testing procedures i.e. the Common Objects Test (one to two years), the Miniature Toys Test (21 months to 4 1/2 years) and the Picture-book Test (2 1/2 to seven years). The picture-book includes lists of speech sounds, words and sentences for recognition and repetition, to detect and define difficulties of auditory discrimination, articulation and sequencing of sounds. The tests are designed to provide the examiner with considerable choice in individual application, but differential diagnosis calls for experienced clinical judgement. Since the tests are not intended to produce pass/fail results, descriptive recording and clinical assessment on a three- or five-point scale is recommended.