What to Expect from a Speech and Language Assessment

Joanne Jones Author

This blog will focus on what to expect from a speech and language assessment, please note this advice is based on what happens in the UK.

This blog will focus on what to expect from a speech and language assessment, please note this advice is based on what happens in the UK, and there may well be differences abroad.

First, it is a good idea to know that a speech and language assessment can take place in various locations such as a clinic, (whereby a therapist may see several people in a day), a school or a nursery setting, and an assessment at home. Location of the assessment depends on who has referred the child, it may be a parent, a teacher, a GP, or health visitor.

Who will assess the child?

Normally an assessment will be undertaken by a senior, more experienced speech and language therapist (SALT). Occasionally it might be that an assistant to the speech and language therapist attends and they will feedback to the senior SALT. If another diagnosis is to be considered such as autism, it will more than likely be undertaken by multi professionals such as a SALT and a paediatrician specialising in autism.

How do they assess?

Do not be surprised if the assessment appears to be very informal and a “hands off” approach is taken, this is often the case if the child has been referred based on a difficulty in learning language. When this is the case, the SALT will often be seen observing the child playing and interacting, and instead of the child being asked questions, often the SALT will ask the parents questions. These questions may be asked directly, or in the form of a questionnaire, a full look into the child’s history such as the pregnancy and birth, the parent’s history and the child’s development so far may well be asked.

If the child has been referred due to a difficulty in producing correct speech sounds (please note this is unlikely to be the case in under 5’s) the assessment will appear to be more focused and hands on, this is because they need to ascertain the specific sounds the child is struggling with.

Can I ask questions in the assessment?

Yes, yes, and yes!!! Please do ask questions as the more you do, the more knowledge you will gain, and you will leave the appointment feeling more empowered. It is a good idea to have a list of questions beforehand to ask so nothing is forgotten. Examples of questions may be;

1. How do you judge their attention and listening?

2. How do you judge their play skills?

3. How do you judge their interaction?

4. How do you judge their comprehension?

5. Do you think they have oro motor difficulties?

6. Do you suspect a tongue tie?

7. Do you have concerns over their feeding?

8. What is their expressive language like compared to their comprehension?

If you ask the applicable questions from above, you will leave the appointment knowing what areas specifically you need to work on with your child. The therapist should give you tips and tricks to help both yourself and your child. Remember! You are your child’s best speech therapist, a child learns best in their own environment in a natural, non-pressured situation. Often what is needed, is help in identifying what is your child’s “roadblock”. Once you understand what strategies your child needs you are well on your way to supporting and progressing your child. Do not feel like you are being “short changed”, ask the questions and make the most of their expertise!

Categories: : communication, connection, therapy