This session focuses on how to identify strengths and weaknesses in written language samples by conducting written transcription analyses. The speaker discusses how to assess written language skills of children and adolescents with developmental language disorders at the word, sentence, and discourse levels. The speaker also highlights how to observe and identify the cognitive, linguistic, and motor skills that need improvement for a student to engage successfully in the writing process.

ASHA: 0.2 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level

CA SLPAHB: 2.0 hrs

CMH: 2.0 hrs

Anthony D. Koutsoftas has been a Speech Language Pathologist since 2001 and has worked with children and adults of all ages to improve their communication and language skills. He is currently an Associate Professor at Seton Hall University where he teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students and runs the Reading, Oral Language, and Writing Lab. His line of research is concerned with language and learning in school age students with and without language-based learning disabilities. His work has been presented at national and international conferences and has been published in peer reviewed journals. He is currently funded by the U.S. Department of Education on two different projects related to improving writing outcomes in schoolchildren. He is a big fan of cookies and stand-up comedy and is delighted to be here today.

• Describe the importance of obtaining a written language sample from children and adolescents
• Differentiate the writing process from the final written product, and describe how to observe cognitive, linguistic, and motor skills in children and adolescents needed to write
• Conduct a written language sample analysis for baseline data purposes that describes written language output at the word, sentence, and discourse levels

This course must be watched in its entirety. In order to receive the CMH or the CEU certificate, a quiz is required to be completed with 80% success.

Financial— Dr. Anthony D. Koutsoftas receives a speaking fee from the Lavi Institute/Power Up Conference

Nonfinancial— No relevant non-financial disclosures.

15 mins – Disclosures, Introduction

60 mins – objectives

• Describe the importance of obtaining a written language sample from children and adolescents
• Differentiate the writing process from the final written product, and describe how to observe cognitive, linguistic, and motor skills in children and adolescents needed to write
• Conduct a written language sample analysis for baseline data purposes that describes written language output at the word, sentence, and discourse levels

30 mins – Review of recommended methodology and strategies

15 mins – Q&A