BBTOP-2: Bankson-Bernthal Test of Phonology-Second Edition

The Bankson-Bernthal Test of Phonology–Second Edition (BBTOP-2) is an individually administered assessment of young children’s speech-sound development. The test is actually three assessments in one: a whole-word accuracy analysis, an inventory of consonant articulation, and an assessment of common phonological error patterns. Colorful illustrations are used to elicit the child’s pronunciation of 80 common stimulus words. To administer the BBTOP-2, the examiner simply points to each illustration and has the child name it. The stimulus words are conveniently preprinted in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) on the record form. The examiner uses IPA to transcribe any words the child misarticulates. After the child has named all 80 stimulus words and test administration has concluded, the examiner uses the transcription of the misarticulated words to complete the Consonant Articulation Inventory, which assesses articulation of both initial and final consonants. Finally, the examiner can complete the Error Pattern Assessment of common phonological error patterns that may be evident in the misarticulated words. The test’s results can be used to (a) identify children who have speech-sound disorders, (b) plan interventions, and (c) represent speech-sound development and speech-sound disorders in research studies.

Nicholas W. Bankson • John E. Bernthal