Speech and Language Evaluations
Lighthouse Speech Therapy, PLLC provides comprehensive speech and language evaluations, which are assessments conducted by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to evaluate a child's communication skills. This evaluation is used to identify and understand any speech, language, or communication difficulties that an individual may be experiencing. This evaluation report can be brought to other medical providers/school-based providers to advocate for the referral, initiation, or continuation of speech and language services. A parent may seek out an evaluation to determine how their child is developing, as an alternative/addition to Early Intervention services, to submit to insurance to document a diagnosis, or to supplement school-based services (IEP).
Our evaluations typically include the following:
1. Case History: We will gather information about the individual's background, medical history, developmental milestones, and any concerns or observations related to their communication skills. This helps provide context and guide the evaluation process.
2. Standardized Testing: We will administer standardized tests and assessments that are designed to measure different aspects of speech and language abilities. These tests may include assessing receptive language skills (understanding and comprehension), expressive language skills (use of language to communicate), speech sound production, voice quality, fluency, and pragmatics (social communication skills).
3. Observation: We will observe the individual's communication skills in various contexts, such as during conversation, play activities, and interactions with others. This helps assess their ability to use language effectively, follow directions, engage in social communication, and use appropriate non-verbal cues.
4. Language Sampling: We may collect language samples by engaging the individual in structured and unstructured activities. This allows us to analyze their language skills in terms of vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, and overall language organization.
5. Articulation and Phonological Assessment: If necessary, we will evaluate the individual's speech sound production. This may involve assessing their ability to produce specific sounds, identifying any errors, and determining if the errors impact their overall intelligibility.
6 .Oral-Motor and Swallowing Assessment: In some cases, we may assess the individual's oral-motor skills, including the movements and coordination of the muscles involved in speech production and swallowing. This assessment helps identify any difficulties or abnormalities that may contribute to speech or feeding challenges.
7. Parent/Caregiver and Teacher Input: We may gather information from parents, caregivers, and teachers through interviews, questionnaires, or surveys. Their perspectives are valuable in understanding the individual's communication abilities in different environments and contexts.
8. Analysis and Diagnosis: After completing the evaluation, the SLP will analyze the assessment results, compare them to age-appropriate developmental norms, and formulate a diagnosis if appropriate. The diagnosis helps guide the development of an individualized treatment plan.