Speech & Language Evaluations

What is a Speech-Language Evaluation?

A speech-language evaluation measures a person’s communication skills. These evaluations are done by a licensed speech-language pathologist.

Comprehensive speech evaluations include a combination of standardized and informal assessments. Evaluations are used to gain more understanding of a client’s skills and needs, and provide a diagnosis if applicable.

The following communication skills are assessed during a speech-language evaluation:

• Expressive language (how a person uses language to communicate)
• Receptive language (how a person understands language)
• Articulation and Apraxia (the accuracy and intelligibility of spoke communication)
• Stuttering and Fluency (speaking smoothly and without effort)
• Social Engagement and Interaction (how a person plays, interacts and/or communicates with others)
• Phonemic Awareness (the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken parts of words)
• Hearing Screening (depending on their age and medical history)

What happens before a speech evaluation?

Prior to the evaluation, a speech-language pathologist will review relevant case history information with the client and anyone who accompanies them. The case history form will be provided to the client for completion prior to the evaluation. Questions included in the case history form (if relevant) include:

• Pregnancy and birth history
• Acquisition of developmental milestones
• Medical history
• Family and biographical information (e.g. who lives with the client, is there family history of speech, language or hearing disorders, etc.)
• Current and previous speech-language skills
• Reason for requesting the speech-language evaluation
• School/education history

What happens during a speech evaluation?

During a speech evaluation, a speech-language pathologist uses formal tests and informal observations to measure a client’s communication abilities.

Formal tests are usually administered and scored under specific criteria or conditions. A client may be asked to perform tasks such as repeating a series of words or pointing to the picture named. Because formal tests are standardized, they can be used to compare a client’s abilities to others their age or identify a diagnosis.

Informal observations are more subjective and can be tailored to a client’s individual needs and everyday environments. For example, a clinician might observe how the client uses objects or toys, understands words and requests, and whether the client expresses these functions nonverbally (with gestures, eye contact, tugging, and pointing) or with words.

A comprehensive speech evaluation also involves checking the client’s motor skills, hearing, attention span, and physical structures for speech (such as the tongue, lips, teeth, or roof of the mouth).

Depending on the client’s age, a full speech-language evaluation may involve more play-based activities or structured tests. The length of an evaluation will also vary based on the amount of testing needed.

What happens after a speech evaluation?

The evaluating speech-language pathologist will step out of the treatment room for a few minutes to score the assessment(s) and gather any relevant handouts and resources. They will review the results of the evaluation and share their recommendations with the client and anyone who accompanies the client to the evaluation.

The client or their caregiver will be given a Quick Summary Speech-Language Evaluation Sheet that summarizes the evaluation results and recommendations covered by the speech-language pathologist.

If speech therapy is recommended, the speech-language pathologist will take the client to the business office to speak with one of our schedulers.

In a few weeks, a written report of the thorough speech and language evaluation will be sent to the client. This report will include:

• Case history information and reason for referral
• The results of all standardized and informal assessments
• A speech-language diagnosis, if applicable
• Recommendations for future actions
• Referrals, if applicable
• Treatment goals, if applicable