Speech Difficulties and Speech Assessment
S.L. Hunter SpeechWorks provides assessment and speech language therapy for children and adults experiencing speech difficulties or other communication concerns. Speech difficulties can affect how clearly a person produces speech sounds, how easily others understand them, and how confidently they communicate in everyday situations.
For children, concerns about speech may occur alongside differences in language development, expressive language, receptive language, social skills, or other areas of communication. A Speech-Language Pathologist can complete a comprehensive speech assessment to better understand the individual’s strengths and areas requiring support.
When Might a Speech Assessment Be Helpful?
Parents may consider a speech and language assessment when they are concerned about their child’s speech, language, or overall communication abilities.
Examples may include a child who:
- Is difficult for parents or other children to understand
- Has difficulty producing particular speech sounds
- Uses fewer words or short sentences compared with expectations for their age
- Has difficulty following directions
- Struggles to express thoughts or ideas
- Has difficulty understanding spoken language
- Shows challenges with turn taking or social cues
- Has difficulty developing expressive vocabulary
- Experiences challenges with phonological awareness
- Has a known developmental or medical condition affecting communication
- Has experienced delays in speech and language development
Speech concerns can occur on their own or alongside other communication disorders. Assessment helps determine which key areas of a child’s communication need further attention.
What Happens During a Speech and Language Assessment?
The assessment process is individualized according to the person’s age, concerns, abilities, and developmental history. A Speech-Language Pathologist may use a combination of formal and informal assessment methods.
The process may include a parent interview or case history to gather information about:
- Medical history
- Family history
- Developmental milestones
- Previous speech or language services
- The child’s development
- The child’s speech and language development
- Communication at home, school, and in other social contexts
- Parent and teacher concerns
Understanding this background helps the Speech-Language Pathologist interpret the assessment within the child’s natural context rather than relying on a single assessment tool.
Assessing Speech Sounds
A speech assessment may examine how a child produces individual speech sounds and words, as well as how understandable their speech is during conversation.
The Speech-Language Pathologist may assess:
- Accuracy of speech sounds
- Patterns of sound errors
- Movement and function of the child’s mouth when relevant
- How speech changes in words and sentences
- Overall speech clarity
- Phonological awareness skills
- How well the child communicates in different situations
Some speech difficulties may be associated with structural, developmental, or neurological conditions such as cleft palate or cerebral palsy. When appropriate, the Speech-Language Pathologist may work alongside other healthcare professionals involved in the person’s care.
Language and Communication Assessment
Speech and language are closely connected, so the assessment may also examine broader language skills.
A language assessment can include:
- Receptive language skills
- Expressive language skills
- Expressive vocabulary
- Understanding words and sentences
- Ability to follow directions
- Expressive language abilities
- Social communication
- Turn taking
- Joint attention
- Understanding facial expressions and social cues
A child may have clear speech but still experience difficulty with receptive language, expressive language, or social communication. Conversely, a child may have age-appropriate language abilities but significant difficulty producing clear speech.
Examining both speech and language helps create a more complete understanding of the child’s communication skills.
Formal and Informal Assessment
Depending on the referral question, a Speech-Language Pathologist may use standardized tests, a standardized assessment, observation, play-based activities, conversation, or an informal assessment.
Standardized testing can compare certain skills with those of other children of a similar age. However, scores are only one part of the assessment. The Speech-Language Pathologist also considers how the child communicates naturally with parents, peers, and other people.
This broader approach helps identify the child’s strengths as well as areas in which support may be beneficial.
Assessment Report and Therapy Plan
Following the assessment, the Speech-Language Pathologist discusses the findings and recommendations with the individual or family. An assessment report may summarize the person’s speech, language, and communication abilities and identify any significant differences requiring support.
Recommendations may include:
- Speech therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Home communication strategies
- Further language assessment
- Monitoring of developmental skills
- Consultation with the child’s school
- Referral to other professionals when appropriate
Depending on the individual’s needs, collaboration may involve teachers, physicians, occupational therapists, or other healthcare professionals.
The results of the assessment help guide an effective therapy plan that focuses on the person’s specific communication needs rather than using the same treatment approach for everyone.
Speech and Language Services at S.L. Hunter SpeechWorks
At S.L. Hunter SpeechWorks, our Speech-Language Pathologists assess and support a range of speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
Whether concerns involve a child’s speech, receptive or expressive language, social communication, or broader speech and language development, assessment is an important first step toward understanding the difficulty and determining appropriate support.
Contact S.L. Hunter SpeechWorks to learn more about speech assessment, speech and language assessment, speech therapy, and speech-language pathology services.