You might consider speech and language assessment if you have noticed that your child has difficulties including speech sound errors, difficulty following instructions and understanding words and sentences, not using words, not using sentences or age-appropriate grammar, not using their words to communicate and social interaction differences.

Speech and Language Assessment is carried out in our clinic in Burntwood, in your home, or at school or nursery, with a qualified and experienced Speech Therapist.  This is so that we can gain a picture of their strengths, and areas for improvement.  We will always ensure that your child is happy throughout.  Usually assessment takes 1.5 hours to 2 hours, occasionally it can last for longer.  This is not just direct work with your child, and where possible it is carried out through play.

Assessment may include some or all of the following:

• A discussion to get information about your child’s developmental history
• Discussing you view of your child’s strengths and needs
• Discussing any concerns that you may have
• Informal methods of assessment, e.g. observations, assessment through play
• Formal methods of assessment, e.g. tests that give information about your child’s communication, in comparison to other children of the same age

If appropriate, following assessment, a therapy plan is created.  We will discuss together what the best way forward is.  This may be weekly or two-weekly direct therapy, a programme to be carried out by trained carers, or training on strategies to support language within the environment.