Speech-Language Evaluation

A speech/language evaluation is conducted to determine the presence and nature of a communication disorder.  It is used to gain information about an individual's strengths and weaknesses related to his/her speech and/or language skills, and may include evaluation of articulation skills, receptive language skills, expressive language skills, or social/pragmatic skills. The process of evaluating and describing an individual's communication skills may include formal or informal measures, case history, client/caregiver interview, as well as review of relevant data such as medical information, hearing tests, or educational records.  

A speech/language evaluation may occur in a single session or may require multiple sessions.  

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Evaluation

An AAC evaluation is a multi-faceted process in which a determination is made about the appropriateness of AAC to support development of an individual's autonomous communication skills.  AAC may be appropriate:
  • to augment speech that is limited or (at times) unintelligible
  • as a primary communication modality for expressive language generation
  • as an expressive (output) as well as receptive (input) tool to support language development
  • as a language intervention strategy 
AAC is a multi-modal approach that focuses on building communication skills that are characterized as effective, efficient and socially appropriate (as opposed to tantrums or aggressive behaviors), with individuals who have limited or no speech. 

Considerations which shape an AAC evaluation include, vision & hearing skills, motor skills, ambulation, sensory needs, cognitive skills, and joint attention.  An AAC evaluation may include trials of low-tech tools, tablet-based tools, dedicated devices, or other tools and strategies. 

Speech-Language Therapy

Speech-Language therapy is tailored to meet the needs of an individual, per the outcomes of the Speech-Language or AAC evaluation.  Activities may include sound practice, literacy activities, or language-based play.  Use of manipulatives and, when appropriate, sensory activities may also be part of speech sessions.  Speech therapy often includes structured and unstructured discussion or conversational exchanges.  Technology tools may also be employed to address specific skills.

Speech-Language therapy focuses on:
  • building foundational communication skills,
  • increasing an individual's awareness related to his/her communication skills,
  • modeling and practice to improve skills, and
  • ultimately self-monitoring strategies to generalize skills. ​

​Family members or caregivers may be invited to participate in speech therapy sessions. Reinforcement of skills addressed in therapy by familiar communication partners can be crucial for helping clients achieve their communicative potential. 

AAC Training for families / caregivers

Embedded with your AAC User's Therapy
15-30 minute sessions on mutually selected topics may be scheduled with primary caregivers immediately before or after a therapy session, free of charge, on an ongoing basis.

Small group training (for caregivers of current clients), or sessions open the community 
1-2 hour presentation + discussion sessions may be available for a fee, as needs or requests arise.   
For AAC users, their AAC tool is their VOICE!...the core of one's existence.   But just as a typically developing child requires modeling to acquire language, AAC users require modeling as well.  The same is true of individuals learning a new language; competence comes by listening to and interacting with others.  Additionally, an individual's closest communication partners may have significant influence over the vocabulary that is available to the individual. Therefore, it is imperative that familiar communication partners understand their role, and gain a reasonable understanding of the complex and nuanced considerations from which communication and language emerge.  

Individual or group (depending on interest) sessions may be offered on a variety of standard topics including the following: 
  • Overview of Communication and AAC
  • Understanding Language Development in the Context of AAC
  • Core Vocabulary and Essential Considerations for Vocabulary Selection
  • Partner Augmented Input
  • Prompting, Wait Time and Addressing Disruptive Communication Behaviors

​Topics customized to your AAC user
  • Creating Communication Opportunities and Supporting Multi-modal Communication
  • Introduction to your AAC user's tool/device
  • Customizing Communication Tools for your AAC user
Services provided are within the scope of competence of this practitioner,
​​and reflect current best practices. 
However, owing to individual and unique client differences and characteristics, 
​outcomes are not guaranteed.