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What Happens in a Speech Therapy Assessment Session

Speech language therapist working with child

Speech Language Therapists work with people of all ages to support their speech, language and literacy skills. An assessment session is useful for parents who are unsure if their child needs therapy, and if therapy is needed, to create a picture of their communication skills in order to create appropriate goals for therapy. Here’s what to expect when booking in for an assessment or consultation session with Beyond Words.

Intake Forms and Preparation:

Prior to your assessment your Speech Therapist will ask you to complete an online intake form. This questionnaire asks for your basic details along with specific questions about your child including their interests, any hearing tests completed, and specific concerns around communication. As Beyond Words Speech Language Therapy is a mobile service, this information is necessary prior to your appointment, so that your Speech Language Therapist can prepare the required assessment tools. It also saves you time during the appointment as you will not need to answer all the basic questions completed in the intake form.

Location:

Your Speech Language Therapist will meet you at your home, your child’s school/kindergarten, or on Skype.

Assessment Tools:

Your therapist will have prepared the assessment materials as appropriate for your child. Assessments may include formal tests (such as naming and describing pictures, or listening and following directions), along with informal tests. For the informal tests, your Speech Therapist will have prepared a selection of toys/books to look at with your child. The toys and books provide a basis for conversation which the therapist will take notes from and later analyse. Formal tests can be challenging for children, especially pre-schoolers, so additional toys and stickers will be used to motivate your child throughout the test (i.e. name three pictures, and then earn a sticker or a burger to feed the Pop the Pig toy). Your Speech Therapist will be flexible, and if your child is unable to complete a formal test, then informal measures (such as play and observation) will be used to gain the required information.

Feedback and Goals:

Your Speech Therapist will give you some feedback after the assessment is completed, and (if therapy is recommended) discuss some possible goals with you. You will also be encouraged to ask any questions that you may have.

After the assessment:

If you and your therapist have agreed to selected goals, your therapist will then write these up in a goal planning sheet and email this to you. A time slot for therapy sessions will be offered based on availability.

To inquire about booking in for an assessment session, please contact Beth at elizabeth@beyondwordsslt.co.nz

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