Overview
The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Fifth Edition (PPVT-5; Dunn, 2018) is an individually-administered, norm-referenced measure of a receptive vocabulary based on words in Standard American English. The test can be used with individuals ages 2 years, 6 months through 90 years and older. It measures receptive vocabulary acquisition and can contribute useful information when assessing receptive vocabulary, as part of a language evaluation, across the lifespan. Growth Scale Values (GSVs) provide an objective score for measuring changes in performance over time. It can be used as a screening measure or assessing strengths and weaknesses in the specific domain of semantics (i.e., word knowledge) and general area of language development. Because it is co-normed with the Expressive Vocabulary Test- Third Edition (EVT-3), PPVT-5 scores can be directly compared. In addition to multiple scores, qualitative analyses are also available, which include home versus school vocabulary; vocabulary by part of speech; three tier model of vocabulary; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) vocabulary; and crossover vocabulary (PPVT-5/EVT-3). Compared with its predecessor, PPVT-5 offers updated norms and refined digital applications. The PPVT-5 can be administered digitally or in paper-pencil format, and it can be scored using the Q-global Scoring and Reporting system or via manual scoring.
Summary
Age: 2 years 6 months to 90+ years
Time to Administer: 10-15 minutes
Method of Administration: Individually administered, norm-referenced measure of receptive vocabulary acquisition.
Yields standard scores (M = 100, SD = 15), percentile ranks, normal curve equivalents (NCEs) stanines, age equivalents, Growth Score Values (GSVs); qualitative analysis results
Subscales: Overall Composite Score only
Autism Related Research
None found. Though research with this recently-updated version of the PPVT-5 was located, its predecessors have been used extensively in autism research. Two research findings with previous editions of the PPVT which are relevant to the use of the measure within the ASD population may be of interest to PPVT-5 users include: (a) the PPVT-4 is useful as a proxy for verbal IQ among persons with ASD (Krasileva, Sanders, & Bal, 2017); and (b) clinicians should feel confident when using the PPVT-III for assessing language in children with autism due to strong correlations found between such standardized measures and spontaneous speech measures (Condouris, Meyer, Tager-Flusberg, 2003).