What to Expect During Your Child's Speech & Language Evaluation

If your child has been referred for a speech and language evaluation, it’s completely normal to wonder what the process will look like. Our goal is to make the experience informative, collaborative, and as comfortable as possible—for both you and your child. Here’s what you can expect:

A thorough case history

  - We’ll start by asking detailed questions about your child’s development, medical history, communication skills, and any concerns you’ve noticed.

  - This helps us understand the full picture—not just what we see during the evaluation.

Standardized assessment (when appropriate)

  - Based on your concerns, we may use formal testing tools to gather objective data.

  - This could include:

    - An articulation test if speech sound production is the primary concern

    - A language assessment if understanding or using language is the focus

    - Reading and writing tasks for school-aged children, when relevant

A natural language sample

  - We’ll engage your child in conversation or play to observe how they communicate in a more natural setting.

  - With your permission, we may record this portion so we can:

    - Stay fully engaged with your child during the session

    - Review their communication more carefully afterward

Discussion of meaningful, functional goals

  - We’ll talk through what skills would have the greatest positive impact on your child’s daily life.

  - Goals are:

    - Measurable

    - Individualized

    - Appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level

A child-centered, play-based approach

  - Especially for younger children, we keep the evaluation as engaging and play-based as possible.

  - This helps us see your child’s true abilities in a comfortable, low-pressure environment.

A detailed evaluation report

  - After the evaluation, you’ll receive a written report that includes:

    - Results and observations

    - Recommended goals

    - Suggested therapy frequency (if services are recommended)

We view this process as a partnership. All the pieces: your insights, concerns, and priorities are an essential part of creating the best plan for your child moving forward.

All the pieces: a thorough case history, standardized assessment, natural language sample, discussion of goals, child-centered approach, and detailed evaluation report work together to create the best plan for your child moving forward.