Detailed assessment

This pathway is appropriate for children aged 2 years 0 months – 8 years 11 months. Typically, children are referred due to concerns about their speech, language and/or communication. All children referred to the clinic will start on this pathway this will enable us to make decisions about the best next steps. 

What is the assessment pathway? 

The assessment pathway is part of a research project called ‘Database of developmental speech, language and communication disorder profiles.’ This means that as well as gathering information about a child’s speech, language and communication we will also gather information about cognition, behaviour and wellbeing to support research into the profiles of children who come to speech and language therapy.  

Anonymised data collected as part of the assessment will be preserved and made available for research. Parents will be asked to consent to their child’s anonymised data being used for research purposes at the point of referral. By collecting this information, we are hoping to understand more about profiles of speech, language and communication in childhood and the impact they have on quality of life and wellbeing. Assessment sessions will typically be video recorded via our integrated cameras. The clinician will let you know the session is being recorded and will confirm your consent prior to starting any recording.’  

Any findings and results shared from the study will be de-identified. Videos may also be used for teaching purposes. 

What does the assessment pathway involve? 

Prior to coming to the clinic, you will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires online that will begin to explore your child’s speech, language, communication and cognitive skills.  

You and your child will be invited in for two assessment sessions at the University of Reading Speech and Language Therapy Clinic. Sessions will be run by student speech and language therapists under the supervision of a qualified speech and language therapist.  Some sessions will be observed by additional students from an adjoining room through a one-way mirror. The clinician will let you know if this is the case.  

During the appointments the clinician running the session will talk with you, talk/play with your child, ask you to fill out some further questionnaire measures and will complete some assessments with your child. They will also observe you playing/talking with your child for 10 minutes. 

One of the advantages of having students involved in the sessions is that we can gather information from both yourself and your child simultaneously and you may find that one of the clinicians will talk to you whilst another plays with your child. 

The clinician will explain to you what they are doing and why. You are the expert on your child and we value your thoughts and contributions throughout the session. However,  some of the formal assessment measures have very strict procedures and so there may be times we ask parents not to join in.  

If your child is exposed to more than one language some additional measures will be included in line with best practice. We may also work with an interpreter to support us to gather all the relevant information needed about your child’s speech, language and communication skills.  

For more information see  ‘your first paediatric appointment‘. 

What is your commitment? 

• To fill out the referral form and a series of online questionnaires before coming to clinic with your child. This process typically takes between  

• To attend at least two assessment appointments lasting about an hour each. These appointments are typically within the school day 

• To agree to anonymised data being used for research purposes 

• To agree to student involvement 

• To agree to sessions being videoed for analysis and teaching purposes  

• To agree to the clinic contacting our child’s education setting if relevant 

Following completion of the pathway your child will either be: 

• Discharged from the clinic with a detailed report, advice and signposting to local services as relevant 

• Detailed report written and invited to one of the clinic’s intervention pathways 

Reports will be shared as a password protected attachment to an email with your child’s GP and education setting. It may also be relevant to share reports with other professionals involved in your child’s care, e.g. paediatrician, occupational therapist.  

Supervising therapists 

This assessment protocol has been devised by: 

Emma Pagnamenta (research lead)  

Katherine Pritchard (Paediatric lead for the clinic) 

 

What parent’s say about the detailed assessments 

 

Please email paediatric-slt@reading.ac.uk if you have any questions.