A speech-language evaluation measures a child‚Äôs communication skills.  It is completed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (or Speech Therapist).   

A referral from the pedatrician or primary care physician is sometimes required and usually recommended.  

Before your child is seen for an evaluation, information is gathered, including medical history, developmental history, family history, educational history, therapeutic history, and primary concerns. 

Formal tests are administered, which is a way to compare your child to other children of the same age. A Informal measures may also be used, such as parental interview, discussion with other professionals (i.e. teacher, occupational therapist, etc.), observing how the child plays and observing how the child interacts with adults/peers. 

During a speech-language evaluation, the following areas may be assessed:

1)      Receptive language-what the child understands

2)      Expressive language-what the child says

3)      Articulation-production of speech sounds

4)      Pragmatic language-social use of language

5)      Voice

6)      Fluency

7)      Oral peripheral examination- structure and function of the face, lips, teeth, tongue, and palate

8)      Hearing- pure tone screening

An Interpretive Parent Conference is held after the evaluation to discuss findings, recommendations, and discuss normal speech-language skills. The Speech-Language Pathologist and parent/s are present during the meeting. 

A written report will follow the evaluation, and may include the following information: child‚Äôs history, speech-language testing results and recommendations. 

If you suspect that your child has a communication disorder, please contact us to get started. 

**Information shared from The Speech and Language Evaluation by Leslie S. McColgin