What Parents Should Expect From Their Child's Speech And Language Evaluation
Most parents understand that children in the same age range typically begin speaking and building a working vocabulary of words at their own pace, even when most of their peers are developing at a different pace. While minor delays in speech should not be a cause for concern, it can be helpful to explore the use of speech and language evaluations to determine if an underlying issue may be causing the delay.
When doctors, teachers or other professionals advise that a child could benefit from undergoing a professional speech and language evaluation, many parents may not know what to expect. If your child is struggling with their speech and language development, here are some of the key things that professional evaluation can be expected to provide.
A determination of whether visual, auditory, motor or cognitive issues may be contributing to the delay
One of the first pieces of information parents should expect from a professional speech and language evaluation is whether the child's development is delayed due to visual, auditory, motor or cognitive issues. If one or more of these issues are noted, parents, doctors and speech professionals will be able to work together to find solutions that will help the child move forward more easily with normal speech and language development.
A creation of a case history to help determine any relevant factors that could be influencing the child's progress
Parents who are advised to consider a professional speech and language evaluation for their child should also expect to provide information that will help to provide a case history, complete with background information about the child and their family situation and culture. During the development of this case history, parents may be asked to submit to interviews, fill out detailed questionnaires and authorize the release of information from medical professionals, teachers or other service providers who have treated or are familiar with the child and their family.
The process of creating a case history for use by speech and language evaluation professionals can provide comprehensive information about the child that will help highlight any information that might be associated with delayed speech and language development.
A detailed plan to address any existing speech and language development issues the child may have
Parents who choose to have their child undergo a speech and language evaluation will be able to better understand the potential problems that may be affecting their child's development and receive a detailed plan for addressing them. Parents who would like to learn more should take time to discuss their questions and concerns with a speech and language evaluation and testing facility in their area like Precision Independent Evaluations, LLC.