Leslie Ferree Talford, MA CCC-SLP

Speech Made Easy

What is a Comprehensive Speech and Language Assessment?

 

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A comprehensive speech and language assessment must be completed prior to beginning a treatment program.  This assessment is used to create an individualized treatment and home program that uses the client’s strengths to improve his weaknesses.  A comprehensive speech and language assessment uses any of the following methods to determine the client’s specific strengths and weaknesses:

Þ Standardized assessments of language and/or articulation

Þ Informal observation of the client’s interactions with the therapist and family members

Þ Language sample during question/answer session and informal conversation

Þ Thorough case history including medical, work, school, and previous therapy history

Þ Record review of previous speech and language evaluations and therapy sessions

Þ Record review of relevant medical and/or school reports

Þ Interviews with family members/caregivers, teachers, and/or employers— as appropriate

The above information is gathered with client or guardian permission and used only for assessment and therapy purposes.  Interviews will only be conducted with signed permission from the client or guardian. 

 

The assessment process is ongoing.  It is important to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy and home programs.  Program evaluation should be completed through data collection for specific speech and language goals, interviews and/or questionnaires completed by family and teachers, and observations of the client’s interactions with the therapist and family.  Standardized assessments may be re-administered after at least 6 months if:

~ Requested by client or family

~ Required to re-assess areas of weaknesses to determine the continued need for direct speech and language services

~ Standardized scores are required for reimbursement