You may decide to have your child professionally assessed for several reasons. They might not be speaking and using their language the way they should at a certain age, or the same way their siblings / friends are. Also, a teacher may have raised some concerns and suggested that you get a second opinion.

When you decide to consult with a speech therapist, it is important to make sure your child is well rested and at their best. It could be in the morning, following their afternoon nap, or at any time you deem them ready.

When you meet with the expert, they will ask you for background information and inquire about your child’s medical history (procedures, medication, hearing status, etc). Once the therapist has a clear idea of the issue, they will proceed to assess your child’s communication skills: their fluency, their ability to articulate speech sounds, their understanding of language and ability to construct sentences, etc. The latter can either be done through an informal assessment or a standardized assessment, if the therapist deems it necessary.

A standardized assessment must be run in a specific manner every time it is administered and follows a specific protocol. Once the assessment is completed, the therapist compares your child’s scores with those of other children of a similar age. It allows them to determine whether the challenges your child faces are normal for their age or not. Observations around your child’s use of language in play, their social skills and play skills will also be made.

After the assessment, the speech therapist might provide feedback and give advice / recommendations that will support the development of your child’s communication skills at home. He/she will also determine whether your child requires further therapy or not. The therapist may also wish to contact your child’s teachers to receive feedback about your child’s performance in a group.

The speech expert will then write a report detailing the assessment and your child’s results, including their strengths and the areas requiring additional support in therapy. Reading this report thoroughly should help you understand your child’s abilities better and make appropriate decisions regarding the next step.