Why Should I Get a Speech Language Pathology Assessment for My School-Aged Child?
Written By: McKenna Crisp, M.S R-SLP
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to when and why your child may benefit from a speech-language pathology (SLP) assessment. You may be wondering, “Is my child’s speech clear enough?”, “Should they be reading better by now?”, or “Are they having trouble understanding what they’re being asked to do?”
A speech-language pathology assessment can help answer these questions by looking at your child’s speech, language, social communication, and literacy skills. Understanding your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty can help determine what supports they may benefit from at home, at school, and in the community.
What Does a Speech Language Pathology Assessment Look At?
Articulation
Articulation refers to the speech sounds your child uses when communicating. An SLP may assess which sounds your child can produce accurately and which sounds may be difficult for them.
The SLP may also look at how your child uses their lips, tongue, jaw, and other structures involved in speech production. Based on the results, the SLP can determine whether your child would benefit from additional support for their speech sounds.
Speech sound difficulties can sometimes affect more than just how clearly a child is understood. Research has found relationships between speech sound difficulties and later literacy skills, which is why identifying and supporting speech sound difficulties early can be beneficial.
Language
Language includes many different skills that allow us to understand and communicate with others. During an assessment, an SLP may look at:
Receptive Language; what your child understands.
This may include your child’s ability to:
Follow directions
Understand questions
Understand vocabulary and concepts
Understand and retell information from stories
Follow sequences of events
Expressive Language; how your child communicates their thoughts and ideas.
This may include your child’s ability to:
Use age-appropriate vocabulary
Form grammatically appropriate sentences
Answer questions
Describe events and experiences
Tell and retell stories
Explain their ideas
Communicate their wants, needs, and feelings
Social Communication
Social communication looks at how your child uses and understands communication during interactions with others.
An SLP may look at your child’s ability to:
Initiate interactions with peers
Take turns during conversations
Stay on topic
Understand non-verbal communication
Consider another person’s perspective
Adjust their communication based on the situation
Understand and use social language
Literacy
SLPs can also assess skills that support reading and writing development.
These may include:
Phonological awareness
Letter-sound awareness
Working memory
Reading fluency
Reading comprehension
Listening comprehension
Written expression
Speech, language, and literacy are closely connected. Difficulties in one area can sometimes make it harder for a child to develop skills in another, which is why looking at the whole picture can be helpful.
Why are Speech and Language Assessments Beneficial?
Now knowing what the assessments look at, let’s discuss what they may be used for.
Understanding your Child’s Strengths and Needs
An assessment provides a clearer picture of what your child is doing well and where they may need additional support.
Understanding these strengths and challenges can help parents, teachers, and clinicians develop strategies that build on what your child already does well. It can also help families set realistic and meaningful goals for their child.
Funding and Support within the School
Assessment results can provide useful information to help your child’s educational team understand their communication and learning needs.
Depending on your child’s individual needs, recommendations may include classroom strategies, accommodations, or additional supports to help them participate and learn successfully.
Support Further Assessment
Speech-language assessment results can also provide valuable information when a child is being considered for additional assessment.
For example, difficulties with language, literacy, attention, or executive functioning may be relevant information for professionals completing assessments for conditions such as ADHD or specific learning disorders, including dyslexia.
An SLP assessment does not diagnose these conditions, but the information gathered can contribute to a more complete understanding of your child’s strengths and needs.
When Should My Child Have an Assessment?
There is no single age that is right for every child. If you have concerns about your child’s speech clarity, language development, social communication, reading, or writing, an assessment can help provide clarity about what is going on and whether additional support may be beneficial.
You don't need to wait until difficulties become significant before seeking support. Early identification can help children access appropriate strategies and intervention when they need them.
Do you have questions regarding your child’s speech and language development? Please reach out to info@ascendpeds.com, and they would be happy to help!
