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CASL-2 Subtest Descriptions

Dr. Claire Dave

A physician with over 10 years of clinical experience, she leads AI-driven care automation initiatives at S10.AI to streamline healthcare delivery.

TL;DR Unlock the CASL-2 with our guide to its 14 subtests. Learn to assess lexical/semantic, syntactic, supralinguistic, and pragmatic skills for accurate diagnosis.
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What is the CASL-2 Assessment and Why Do Speech Pathologists Use It?

The Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language-Second Edition (CASL-2) is a standardized, norm-referenced test designed to evaluate oral language skills in individuals aged 3–21 years. This assessment provides an in-depth analysis of spoken language abilities across four key structural categories, making it an essential tool for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) conducting comprehensive language evaluations.

Research demonstrates that the CASL-2's systematic approach improves diagnostic accuracy by up to 35% compared to informal assessment methods. Its 14 individual subtests can be administered independently or in combination, allowing SLPs to tailor evaluations to specific clinical questions while maintaining standardized scoring and interpretation protocols.

SLPs rely on the CASL-2 to:

  • Identify language disorders
  • Develop targeted intervention plans
  • Measure treatment progress
  • Support eligibility determinations for special education services

The assessment’s comprehensive scope is particularly valuable for distinguishing between different types of language impairments and tracking developmental progress over time.

 

How Do the Four CASL-2 Structural Categories Organize Language Assessment?

The CASL-2 framework organizes spoken language evaluation into four distinct structural categories, each targeting specific aspects of language knowledge and use. This systematic approach ensures comprehensive assessment while providing clear diagnostic information for treatment planning.

CASL-2 Structural Categories

1. Lexical/Semantic (Word Knowledge and Use)

This category evaluates vocabulary knowledge, word relationships, and semantic understanding across both receptive and expressive domains. Lexical/semantic skills form the foundation for complex language use and academic success.

Assessed abilities include:

  • Single word comprehension and production
  • Semantic relationships between words
  • Word definition and explanation skills
  • Figurative language understanding
  • Context-based vocabulary learning

 

2. Syntactic (Grammar Knowledge and Use)

The syntactic category assesses understanding and production of grammatical structures, including morphology, sentence formation, and complex grammatical relationships.

Assessed abilities include:

  • Sentence structure comprehension and production
  • Grammatical morpheme use and understanding
  • Complex sentence processing
  • Grammatical judgment and error detection
  • Syntactic flexibility across contexts

 

3. Supralinguistic (Higher-Order Language Skills)

This category evaluates language abilities that require integration of multiple linguistic components and higher-order thinking skills for meaning derivation.

Assessed abilities include:

  • Inferential reasoning and conclusion drawing
  • Non-literal language comprehension
  • Ambiguity resolution and dual meanings
  • Context-dependent interpretation
  • Complex reasoning through language

 

4. Pragmatic (Social Language Use)

The pragmatic category assesses appropriate language use across social contexts and the ability to modify communication based on situational demands.

Assessed abilities include:

  • Social communication appropriateness
  • Context-sensitive language modification
  • Conversational skills and turn-taking
  • Register variation and style shifting
  • Nonverbal communication integration

 

What Are the 14 CASL-2 Subtest Descriptions and Their Clinical Applications?

Each CASL-2 subtest provides specific diagnostic information while contributing to overall language proficiency assessment. Understanding individual subtest purposes enables SLPs to make informed decisions about assessment battery selection.

Lexical/Semantic Subtests

1. Receptive Vocabulary

  • Purpose: Measures single-word comprehension across semantic categories
  • Format: Point to pictures representing spoken words
  • Age Range: 3–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Identifies vocabulary knowledge deficits, supports differential diagnosis between receptive and expressive language disorders
  • Scoring: Standard scores, percentiles, age equivalents

 

2. Expressive Vocabulary

  • Purpose: Assesses ability to name pictures and provide definitions
  • Format: Label pictures and explain word meanings
  • Age Range: 3–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Evaluates word retrieval skills, semantic knowledge depth, supports intervention planning for vocabulary development

 

3. Synonyms

  • Purpose: Measures understanding of word relationships and semantic similarity
  • Format: Select words with similar meanings
  • Age Range: 7–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Assesses semantic flexibility, supports academic language evaluation, identifies abstract reasoning abilities

 

4. Antonyms

  • Purpose: Evaluates comprehension of opposite word relationships
  • Format: Choose words with opposite meanings
  • Age Range: 3–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Measures semantic contrast understanding, supports curriculum-based assessment, evaluates logical thinking skills

 

5. Idiomatic Language

  • Purpose: Assesses comprehension of non-literal expressions and idioms
  • Format: Explain meanings of figurative expressions
  • Age Range: 7–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Identifies pragmatic language difficulties, supports social communication assessment, evaluates cultural-linguistic factors

 

Syntactic Subtests

6. Sentence Expression

  • Purpose: Measures grammatical sentence formulation abilities
  • Format: Complete sentences using target structures
  • Age Range: 3–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Assesses expressive grammar skills, identifies morphosyntactic deficits, supports treatment goal development

 

7. Grammatical Morphemes

  • Purpose: Evaluates understanding and use of grammatical markers
  • Format: Complete sentences with appropriate morphological forms
  • Age Range: 3–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Identifies specific grammar rule difficulties, supports morphology intervention planning, tracks developmental progress

 

8. Sentence Comprehension

  • Purpose: Assesses understanding of complex grammatical structures
  • Format: Point to pictures representing spoken sentences
  • Age Range: 3–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Distinguishes receptive grammar difficulties, evaluates processing of complex syntax, supports educational planning

 

9. Grammatical Judgment

  • Purpose: Measures ability to identify grammatical correctness
  • Format: Judge whether sentences are grammatically acceptable
  • Age Range: 7–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Assesses metalinguistic awareness, identifies implicit grammar knowledge, supports advanced intervention planning

 

Supralinguistic Subtests

10. Non-literal Language

  • Purpose: Evaluates comprehension of figurative and metaphorical language
  • Format: Interpret expressions requiring non-literal understanding
  • Age Range: 7–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Identifies higher-order language difficulties, supports social communication assessment, evaluates abstract reasoning

 

11. Meaning from Context

  • Purpose: Assesses ability to derive word meanings from contextual information
  • Format: Determine meanings of unfamiliar words using context clues
  • Age Range: 7–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Evaluates vocabulary learning strategies, supports academic success prediction, identifies contextual processing abilities

 

12. Inference

  • Purpose: Measures ability to draw logical conclusions from verbal information
  • Format: Answer questions requiring inferential reasoning
  • Age Range: 7–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Assesses comprehension beyond literal level, identifies reasoning difficulties, supports critical thinking evaluation

 

13. Double Meaning

  • Purpose: Evaluates understanding of words/phrases with multiple meanings
  • Format: Identify and explain different meanings of ambiguous expressions
  • Age Range: 11–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Assesses semantic flexibility, identifies humor and wordplay difficulties, evaluates metalinguistic skills

 

Pragmatic Subtest

14. Pragmatic Language

  • Purpose: Measures appropriate language use across social contexts
  • Format: Identify appropriate responses in social communication scenarios
  • Age Range: 3–21 years
  • Clinical Application: Assesses social communication competence, supports autism spectrum evaluation, identifies pragmatic intervention needs

 

How Do I Interpret CASL-2 Results for Clinical Decision-Making?

CASL-2 interpretation requires understanding both individual subtest performance and composite score patterns to make accurate diagnostic determinations and treatment recommendations.

Scoring and Index Information

Standard Scores and Percentiles

  • Individual subtest standard scores (Mean = 100, SD = 15)
  • Percentile ranks indicating relative performance
  • Age equivalent scores for developmental comparison
  • Confidence intervals for score interpretation reliability

 

Composite Index Scores

  • General Language Ability Index: Overall language competence
  • Receptive Language Index: Comprehension skills across domains
  • Expressive Language Index: Production abilities across contexts
  • Lexical/Semantic Index: Vocabulary and word knowledge
  • Syntactic Index: Grammar comprehension and use
  • Supralinguistic Index: Higher-order language processing

 

Clinical Interpretation Guidelines

 

CASL-2 Interpretation Framework:

Score Ranges and Clinical Significance:

  • 130 and above: Very Superior (2nd percentile and above)
  • 120–129: Superior (91st–98th percentile)
  • 110–119: High Average (75th–90th percentile)
  • 90–109: Average (25th–75th percentile)
  • 80–89: Low Average (9th–24th percentile)
  • 70–79: Below Average (2nd–8th percentile)
  • 69 and below: Well Below Average (1st percentile)

 

Diagnostic Considerations:

  • Scores below 85 (-1 SD) may indicate an area of concern
  • Scores below 77 (-1.5 SD) suggest significant difficulty
  • Pattern analysis reveals specific deficit profiles
  • Scatter analysis identifies strengths and weaknesses
  • Cultural and linguistic factors require consideration

 

What Are Effective CASL-2 Administration and Clinical Integration Strategies?

Successful CASL-2 administration requires understanding testing procedures, environmental considerations, and integration with comprehensive language evaluation protocols.

Administration Best Practices

Pre-Assessment Preparation

  • Review client history and referral questions
  • Select appropriate subtests based on clinical needs
  • Prepare testing materials and environmental setup
  • Consider cultural and linguistic factors affecting performance
  • Plan for attention and fatigue management strategies

 

Testing Procedures

  • Follow standardized administration protocols precisely
  • Maintain neutral, encouraging examiner demeanor
  • Monitor client attention and motivation throughout testing
  • Document behavioral observations and testing conditions
  • Use clinical judgment for discontinuation rules

 

Post-Assessment Integration

  • Analyze score patterns and clinical significance
  • Integrate findings with other assessment data
  • Consider client’s cultural and educational background
  • Develop targeted intervention recommendations
  • Communicate results clearly to families and team members

 

Treatment Planning Applications

CASL-2 to Intervention Planning:

Identified Deficit: Low Receptive Vocabulary (Subtest 1)
Intervention Focus:

  • Systematic vocabulary instruction
  • Visual supports for word learning
  • Repeated exposure and practice opportunities
  • Curriculum vocabulary pre-teaching

 

Identified Deficit: Poor Inferential Skills (Subtest 12)
Intervention Focus:

  • Explicit inference strategy instruction
  • Graphic organizers for reasoning support
  • Question-asking strategy development
  • Text comprehension scaffolding

 

Identified Deficit: Pragmatic Language Difficulties (Subtest 14)
Intervention Focus:

  • Social communication skills training
  • Context-appropriate language practice
  • Peer interaction facilitation
  • Video modeling and role-playing activities

 

How Can Technology Enhance CASL-2 Assessment and Intervention Planning?

Modern technology solutions can improve CASL-2 administration efficiency, scoring accuracy, and intervention development while maintaining standardized testing protocols.

Technology-Enhanced Assessment

Digital Administration Tools

  • Tablet-based presentation for consistent stimulus delivery
  • Automated timing and scoring calculations
  • Digital recording for response analysis and review
  • Real-time behavioral observation documentation
  • Streamlined report generation and sharing

 

Data Management Systems

  • Electronic score recording and calculation
  • Automatic percentile and age equivalent conversion
  • Progress monitoring and re-assessment comparison
  • Intervention planning template integration
  • Team communication and coordination platforms

S10.AI provides comprehensive CASL-2 assessment solutions that integrate standardized administration protocols with advanced analysis features to support both diagnostic accuracy and intervention effectiveness.

 

Complete CASL-2 Assessment Planning Template

CASL-2 Assessment Planning Template

Client Information:
Name: _________________ DOB: _______ Age: _______
Referral Date: _______ Examiner: _______________
Referral Questions: ____________________________

Pre-Assessment Considerations:
Language Background: ___________________________
Educational History: __________________________
Previous Assessments: __________________________
Cultural Factors: ______________________________
Attention/Behavioral Factors: __________________

Subtest Selection Rationale:

  • Core Battery (Ages 3–6): Subtests 1, 2, 4, 6
  • Core Battery (Ages 7–21): Subtests 1, 6, 8, 12, 14
  • Additional Subtests Selected:
    • Subtest 3 - Synonyms: [Rationale]
    • Subtest 5 - Idiomatic Language: [Rationale]
    • Subtest 7 - Grammatical Morphemes: [Rationale]
    • Subtest 9 - Grammatical Judgment: [Rationale]
    • Subtest 10 - Non-literal Language: [Rationale]
    • Subtest 11 - Meaning from Context: [Rationale]
    • Subtest 13 - Double Meaning: [Rationale]

Administration Notes:
Testing Environment: ____________________________
Behavioral Observations: _______________________
Modifications Used: ____________________________
Validity Concerns: _____________________________

Results Summary:
Subtest Results:

  1. Receptive Vocabulary: SS___ %ile___ AE___
  2. Expressive Vocabulary: SS___ %ile___ AE___
    [Continue for all administered subtests]

Index Scores:

  • General Language Ability: SS___ %ile___
  • Receptive Language: SS___ %ile___
  • Expressive Language: SS___ %ile___
  • Lexical/Semantic: SS___ %ile___
  • Syntactic: SS___ %ile___
  • Supralinguistic: SS___ %ile___

Clinical Interpretation:
Strengths Identified: ___________________________
Areas of Concern: ______________________________
Diagnostic Impressions: _______________________
Recommendations: _______________________________

Intervention Planning:
Priority Treatment Areas:

  1.  
  2.  
  3.  

Specific Goals:

  • Short-term (3 months): ______________________
  • Long-term (6–12 months): ___________________

Treatment Approaches:

  • Direct therapy frequency: __________________
  • Classroom collaboration: __________________
  • Home program recommendations: _______________

Follow-Up Planning:
Progress monitoring schedule: ___________________
Re-assessment timeline: _______________________
Team communication plan: ______________________

 

Best Practices for CASL-2 Clinical Excellence

Effective CASL-2 utilization requires systematic administration procedures, comprehensive result interpretation, and evidence-based intervention integration. SLPs who maintain structured assessment approaches report improved diagnostic accuracy, enhanced treatment outcomes, and stronger interdisciplinary collaboration.

Key success factors include:

  • Thorough pre-assessment planning
  • Standardized administration adherence
  • Comprehensive result analysis
  • Systematic intervention development

Consider implementing AI-enhanced assessment platforms like S10.AI to optimize your CASL-2 evaluation process while maintaining the clinical rigor essential for accurate language disorder identification and effective treatment planning.

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People also ask

How can I select the most informative CASL-2 subtests to differentiate between receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language deficits in a school-aged child?

When assessing a school-aged child with suspected language deficits, a targeted selection of CASL-2 subtests can provide clear diagnostic insights. To evaluate receptive language, consider administering "Sentence Comprehension" and "Receptive Vocabulary" to assess understanding of grammar and words. For expressive language difficulties, the "Sentence Expression" and "Expressive Vocabulary" subtests are crucial for evaluating how a child formulates sentences and retrieves words. To investigate pragmatic challenges, especially those seen in children with autism, the "Pragmatic Judgment" subtest offers valuable information about their understanding of social language rules. By analyzing the patterns of scores across these specific subtests, you can create a more precise and effective therapy plan. Explore how integrating these targeted assessments can sharpen your diagnostic accuracy and lead to more personalized interventions.

What are the clinical implications if a student scores low on the CASL-2 Supralinguistic subtests like "Non-literal Language" and "Inference," even with average core language scores?

Low scores on the CASL-2 Supralinguistic subtests, such as "Non-literal Language," "Inference," and "Double Meaning," in the presence of average core language skills, often indicate challenges with higher-level language processing. This profile is common in students who struggle with social communication, reading comprehension, and understanding classroom discourse. Clinically, this suggests the student can understand the literal meaning of words and sentences but has difficulty interpreting context, humor, sarcasm, and making predictions. Therapy should therefore target these specific skills through activities like analyzing ambiguous sentences, discussing character perspectives in stories, and practicing social scenarios. Consider implementing goals that focus on improving language comprehension in context to better support academic and social success.

When should I choose the CASL-2 over the OWLS-II for a comprehensive language evaluation?

The choice between the CASL-2 and the OWLS-II depends on the specific referral concerns and the depth of information required about spoken language. While both are excellent assessments, the CASL-2 is uniquely designed to provide a more in-depth and comprehensive assessment of a client's spoken language skills, with 14 separate subtests covering lexical/semantic, syntactic, supralinguistic, and pragmatic domains. The OWLS-II, on the other hand, provides a broader snapshot of both oral and written language. If the primary concern is a suspected spoken language disorder and you need to deeply analyze specific areas like pragmatic judgment or non-literal language, the CASL-2 is the more powerful diagnostic tool. Learn more about how the CASL-2's detailed subtests can help you pinpoint specific areas of difficulty in spoken language for more effective treatment planning.

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