What is Test of Pragmatic Language – Second Edition (TOPL-2)?

Meet Susie, a cheerful and bright eight-year-old girl who loves playing with her friends and exploring new adventures. Susie’s parents have noticed that she sometimes struggles with social interactions and understanding certain aspects of communication. They decide to consult a speech-language pathologist, who suggests using the Test of Pragmatic Language – Second Edition (TOPL-2) to better understand Susie’s pragmatic language skills. Let’s see how the TOPL-2 comes into play in Susie’s journey.

• Susie arrives at the speech-language pathologist’s office, filled with curiosity and a touch of nervousness. The professional warmly greets Susie and explains that they will engage in various activities to evaluate her communication abilities.
• The TOPL-2 assessment begins with a game of Guess the Emotion. Susie is shown pictures of facial expressions and asked to identify the corresponding emotions. This activity assesses her ability to interpret social cues, a crucial aspect of pragmatic language.
• Next, Susie is presented with a series of short stories and asked to answer questions about the characters’ intentions and feelings. This helps evaluate her skills in making inferences and understanding the perspectives of others.
• To assess Susie’s understanding of non-literal language, she listens to a series of jokes and idiomatic expressions. The speech-language pathologist observes Susie’s responses, noting her ability to grasp the intended meanings beyond the literal interpretations.
• During a role-playing activity, Susie is given a scenario where she needs to navigate a social situation. She interacts with the speech-language pathologist, showcasing her ability to use appropriate social language and respond effectively in the given context.
• The TOPL-2 also involves questionnaires for Susie’s parents and teachers. They provide additional insights into Susie’s pragmatic language skills in different environments and help create a comprehensive picture of her communication abilities.

After the assessment:

• Once the assessment is complete, the speech-language pathologist carefully scores and analyzes the gathered information. They share the results with Susie’s parents, highlighting her strengths and areas that may require further support.
• Based on the TOPL-2 findings, the speech-language pathologist collaborates with Susie’s parents to develop an individualized intervention plan. They incorporate activities and strategies to enhance Susie’s pragmatic language skills and support her social interactions.
• Over time, Susie’s progress is monitored through periodic reassessments using the TOPL-2. These evaluations provide valuable feedback on her development and guide adjustments to the intervention plan, ensuring continued growth and improvement.

Susie’s experience with the Test of Pragmatic Language – Second Edition (TOPL-2) helps her parents and professionals gain valuable insights into her communication abilities. Through tailored interventions and support, Susie embarks on a journey to strengthen her pragmatic language skills, empowering her to confidently navigate social interactions and thrive in her interactions with others.