The speech and language assessment

The reason for consultation covers the difficulties, questions or needs that lead the patient or their family to request an assessment. It may come from the patient themselves, from their family, or from a third party (a teacher, a health professional, and so on).

The case history gathers the information needed to understand the situation: the patient's development, school history, medical and paramedical background, difficulties encountered, language environment and any previous assessments. These elements allow the therapist to tailor the evaluation to the patient's needs.

After testing and before the feedback appointment, I analyse the results obtained as well as the strategies the patient used. This analysis combines test scores with my clinical observations in order to better understand their profile, their strengths and their difficulties. The conclusions of each test are then set out in detail, so that the patient, their family and other professionals can understand them.

From the information gathered and the results obtained, the assessment describes the patient's profile and, where the available evidence allows, establishes a diagnosis. In some situations, further observation or the opinion of other professionals may be needed before concluding.

Where therapy is recommended, I propose lines of work based on the observations made during the assessment, the patient's abilities and the initial reason for consultation.

Where relevant, I propose adjustments to put in place in the patient's daily life (school adjustments, adjustments to their immediate environment, and so on).