Speech Pathology Service: A Quick Look at the Evaluation Process

Before your child is to receive speech pathology service, it is standard practice for the therapist or pathologist to evaluate or assess your child's condition. This will help you determine the challenges your son or daughter is facing. In addition, it enables the therapist to identify the most suitable and appropriate treatment or therapy that will contribute to your child's progress.

The evaluation process, which is the first step towards getting therapy, is usually composed of two stages: parent interview and your child's actual evaluation. During parent interview, the speech therapy Brisbane practitioner will ask you questions about your child's history and your concerns. Being the parent, you are the best person to provide the necessary information about your kid so this step is absolutely necessary and important. It is also during this period that your child will be given the opportunity to be familiar with the therapist.

Take note that the information you will provide during parent interview will prove to be vital to shaping the therapist's understanding of your child and his (or her) condition. And as mentioned earlier, it can help the therapist identify the best speech pathology service or approach that is suited for your child. As such, before you visit the pathologist, you should take the time to write down some of your child's important medical information, his development milestones, as well as his communication strengths and weaknesses.

Sometimes, speech therapy Brisbane experts also diagnose and treat problems with swallowing or feeding on children. If this is also an area of concern, make sure you list down pertinent information such as when your child transitioned to baby foods, foods he eats and avoids, and any information on when he starts showing difficulties with chewing and swallowing.

After the parent interview conducted by the speech pathology Brisbane practitioner comes the actual evaluation of your child. It will usually involve two types of testing: indirect and direct. In indirect testing, the speech pathology service provider may look like as if he or she is just playing or having an informal conversation with your kid. But in truth, the pathologist is using this time to determine how your child communicates. Direct testing, on the other hand, involves tests that are more structured. It also usually involves your child doing things or answering the therapist's questions.

During your child's evaluation, it is important for parents like you to just observe quietly and not to interfere with the proceedings unless the speech pathology service provider asks you to. At times, you may be asked to help out, especially if the therapist is not getting any response from your child. It is only during this time that you may participate in the evaluation process. You should also be careful on how you re-structure the therapist's questions when asking your child to ensure that the therapist will be able to evaluate your child properly.