Title: Validation of a low motor assessment of language comprehension: The UK C-BiLLT
Funder: Action Medical Research

Abstract: Background_x000D_ Children with movement problems, such as cerebral palsy, often have difficulties with speech and gestures. In addition, some children find it hard to understand spoken language. Around 2,000 babies born in the UK each year are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This can result in severe movement problems and one in four children with cerebral palsy also has difficulties with speech. It is very important to be able to measure a child's understanding accurately so that appropriate treatment and education can be provided. However, for children with severe movement disorders who are unable to speak or point to objects, this is very difficult to achieve. A computerised assessment of spoken language understanding (C-BiLLT ) designed specifically for young children with severe movement problems has recently been developed in the Netherlands. The aim of this project is to create and validate a UK version of this tool. _x000D_ _x000D_ The research project_x000D_ The team will first finalise the translation of C-BiLLT into English, making sure that the vocabulary and images used are appropriate for UK children. They will then test it in a large group of healthy children aged between 18 months and seven and a half years to show the range of ages at which children usually respond correctly to each question. Children with severe movement and speech difficulties will also try the system to test how easy it is to use. C-BiLLT can be operated by touchscreen, mouse, switches or eye gazing techniques and the children will use the most appropriate method for them. The team will ask parents and children for their views on the system and children will be asked to rate ease of use as 'easy', 'ok' or 'hard' using face emojis. Currently there is no robust assessment of spoken language understanding for young children in the UK with severe movement and speech difficulties who cannot answer conventional language tests. The UK C-BiLLT will address this gap, providing information vital for accurate, individualised therapy and education planning. In addition to helping children with cerebral palsy, this tool will also be relevant to other groups of children with severe movement difficulties, for example, children with acquired brain injuries and genetic disorders such as muscular dystrophy._x000D_ _x000D_ Funded together with Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity and the Great North Children's Hospital Foundation. It is also kindly supported by The Peter Sowerby Foundation.

Lay abstract: Background_x000D_ Children with movement problems, such as cerebral palsy, often have difficulties with speech and gestures. In addition, some children find it hard to understand spoken language. Around 2,000 babies born in the UK each year are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This can result in severe movement problems and one in four children with cerebral palsy also has difficulties with speech. It is very important to be able to measure a child's understanding accurately so that appropriate treatment and education can be provided. However, for children with severe movement disorders who are unable to speak or point to objects, this is very difficult to achieve. A computerised assessment of spoken language understanding (C-BiLLT ) designed specifically for young children with severe movement problems has recently been developed in the Netherlands. The aim of this project is to create and validate a UK version of this tool. _x000D_ _x000D_ The research project_x000D_ The team will first finalise the translation of C-BiLLT into English, making sure that the vocabulary and images used are appropriate for UK children. They will then test it in a large group of healthy children aged between 18 months and seven and a half years to show the range of ages at which children usually respond correctly to each question. Children with severe movement and speech difficulties will also try the system to test how easy it is to use. C-BiLLT can be operated by touchscreen, mouse, switches or eye gazing techniques and the children will use the most appropriate method for them. The team will ask parents and children for their views on the system and children will be asked to rate ease of use as 'easy', 'ok' or 'hard' using face emojis. Currently there is no robust assessment of spoken language understanding for young children in the UK with severe movement and speech difficulties who cannot answer conventional language tests. The UK C-BiLLT will address this gap, providing information vital for accurate, individualised therapy and education planning. In addition to helping children with cerebral palsy, this tool will also be relevant to other groups of children with severe movement difficulties, for example, children with acquired brain injuries and genetic disorders such as muscular dystrophy._x000D_ _x000D_ Funded together with Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity and the Great North Children's Hospital Foundation. It is also kindly supported by The Peter Sowerby Foundation.

Research activity codes: 4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL;MUSCULOSKELETAL