North Carolina SLPA Board Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The PLS-5, or the Preschool Language Scale-5, is recognized for providing a comprehensive evaluation of speech and language abilities. It assesses various language skills, including auditory comprehension and expressive communication, which makes it suitable for children from birth to 7 years and 11 months. The assessment includes a variety of subtests that cover receptive and expressive language, offering a detailed view of a child's overall language development and any areas that may require intervention.

By evaluating a wide range of language skills, the PLS-5 can effectively identify delays or disorders in early communication, making it a valuable tool for clinicians and educators. Its comprehensive nature ensures that a nuanced understanding of a child's language capabilities is achieved, which is crucial for effectively planning interventions and support.

Other assessments, such as the Goldman-Fristoe and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, focus more narrowly on specific aspects of speech or language. The Goldman-Fristoe primarily assesses articulation and speech sound production, while the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test evaluates receptive vocabulary. The Fluharty, while it may provide some insights, does not encompass the breadth of language skills that the PLS-5 covers. Thus, when seeking a thorough evaluation, the PLS-5 stands out as the