# Intelligibility in Context Scale: validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese version

## TL;DR

This study validated a Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Intelligibility in Context Scale for assessing children's speech clarity.

## Contribution

The paper provides a validated version of the ICS for use in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking populations.

## Key findings

- The ICS-BP showed excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.95.
- Strong positive correlations were found between ICS scores and PCC (r = .790).
- The ICS-BP demonstrated high sensitivity (0.98) and specificity (0.87).

## Abstract

The aim of the study was to validate the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS-BP).

Sixty children (mean age in months = 55.05, SD = 4.2), 15 with parental or teacher concerns regarding their speech and 45 without concerns, underwent assessment using the phonology subtest of ABFW – Child Language Test. The percentage of consonants correct (PCC) was calculated and parents completed the ICS to evaluate their children's intelligibility with various communication partners. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman’ tests were used for independent group comparisons and correlation calculations, respectively. Linear regression models were established to predict PCC. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) was used to analyse sensitivity and specificity. Significance was considered for p-values under 0.05.

The majority of parents reported a mean score of 4.6 in a total of 5 (SD .10) at the ICS responses with different listeners, with better performance with other acquaintances and members of the family. The ICS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.95). Positive correlations were found between ICS scores and PCC (r = .790) and a simple linear model was established between the ICS mean score and PCC. Sensitivity (0.98) and specificity (0.87) were considered high.

The ICS-BP indicated high psychometric values, suggesting that this instrument can be used to measure the intelligibility of Brazilian children.