Assessment and Evaluation of Speech-Language Disorders in Schools
This is a guide to ASHA documents and references to consider when conducting comprehensive speech-language assessments. Speech-language assessment is a complex process. Assessing, describing, and interpreting an individual's communication ability requires the integration of a variety of information gathered in the evaluation process. ASHA's Preferred Practice Patterns for the Professions of Speech-Language Pathology (2004) indicates that comprehensive speech-language pathology assessment includes these components:
- Case history, including medical status, education, socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds and information from teachers and other related service providers
- Patient/client/student and family interview
- Review of auditory, visual, motor, and cognitive status
- Standardized and/or non-standardized measures of specific aspects of speech, spoken and non-spoken language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing function, including observations and analysis of work samples
- Identification of potential for effective intervention strategies and compensations
- Selection of standardized measures for speech, language, cognitive-communication, and/or swallowing assessment with consideration for documented ecological validity and cultural sensitivity
- Follow-up services to monitor communication and swallowing status and ensure appropriate intervention and support for individuals with identified speech, language, cognitive-communication, and/or swallowing disorders
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) has specific provisions concerning the assessment of students (Sections 300.301-300.305) in schools. In addition, SLPs need to follow state and local requirements for the assessments of students.
It is important to note the distinctions between the terms evaluation and assessment according to IDEA Part C Guidelines. Evaluation means the "procedures used by qualified personnel to determine a child's initial and continuing eligibility. " IDEA (2004), Part B requires that an evaluation be comprehensive and assess all areas of suspected disability. It is important for the clinician to involve other assessment staff as part of the multidisciplinary evaluation team to address educational and/or behavioral concerns for students who are not meeting the grade-level expectations (IDEA, 2004, Section 34 CFR 300.304).
Assessment means "the ongoing procedures used by qualified personnel to identify the child's unique strengths and needs and the early intervention services appropriate to meet those needs throughout the period of the child's eligibility. and includes the assessment of the child. and the assessment of the child's family. " (IDEA, Part C, Section 303.321)
ASHA Practice Policy Documents
- Scope of Practice
- Rights and Responsibilities of Test Takers
- Issues in Learning Disabilities: Assessment and Diagnosis
Research and Evidence Based Practice
- ASHA's Evidence Maps
- ASHA's Practice Portal
Language/Speech Sampling
- Comprehensive Assessment for Disorders of Reading and Writing: Typical Components
- Myths and Realities of Language Sample Analysis (2010)
- Pediatric Stuttering Assessment Template
- Synthesizing Information from Language Samples and Standardized Tests in School-Age Bilingual Assessment 2017
- The Clinical Utility of Language Samples (2010)
- What? You Want Me to Do A Language Sample? (2008)
- Using Language Sample Databases (2010)
- Using Language Sample Analysis to Assess Spoken Language Production in Adolescents (2016)
Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Templates
- Pediatric Clinical Swallowing Evaluation Template [PDF]
- Pediatric Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) Template [PDF]
Multicultural/Multilingual Assessment
- Alternative Assessment of Language and Literacy in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations (2003)
- Dynamic Assessment Multimedia Guide
- Phonemic Inventories Across Languages
- Working with Internationally Adopted Children
Resources
- Assessment, Evaluation, Test FAQs for Parents
- Best Assessment Ever? (2016)
- Evaluating Children in U.S. Public Schools With Speech Sound Disorders (2020)
- Evaluating Children in U.S. Public Schools With Speech Sound Disorders (2020)
- Glossary of Assessment Terms
- IDEA Part C: Evaluation and Assessment Definitions
- Screening Evaluation, and Assessment Procedures from Center for Parent Information and Resources
- School-Age Hearing Screening
- Understanding the Difference Between Auditory Processing, Speech and Language Disorders, and Reading Disorders [PDF]
