{"id":1791,"date":"2025-07-29T14:32:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T13:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/slt-clinic\/?page_id=1791"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:29:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T15:29:05","slug":"detailed-assessment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/slt-clinic\/detailed-assessment\/","title":{"rendered":"Detailed assessment"},"content":{"rendered":"

This pathway is\u00a0appropriate for\u00a0children aged 2 years 0 months \u2013 8 years 11 months.\u00a0Typically,\u00a0children are referred due to\u00a0concerns about\u00a0their\u00a0speech,\u00a0language\u00a0and\/or communication.\u00a0All children referred to the clinic will start on this pathway\u00a0this will\u00a0enable us to make decisions about the best next steps.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the assessment pathway?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The assessment pathway\u00a0is part of a research project called \u2018Database of developmental speech, language and communication disorder profiles.\u2019 This means\u00a0that\u00a0as well as\u00a0gathering information about a child\u2019s speech,\u00a0language\u00a0and communication we will also gather information about\u00a0cognition,\u00a0behaviour\u00a0and\u00a0wellbeing\u00a0to support research into the profiles of children who come to speech and language therapy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anonymised data collected as part of the assessment will be\u00a0preserved and\u00a0made available for research.\u00a0Parents will be asked to consent to their child\u2019s anonymised\u00a0data being used for research purposes at the point of referral.\u00a0By 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.\u00a0Assessment sessions will typically be video recorded\u00a0via our integrated cameras.\u00a0The clinician will let you know the session is being\u00a0recorded\u00a0and will confirm your consent prior to starting any recording.\u2019\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Any findings and results shared from the study will be de-identified.\u00a0Videos may also be used for teaching purposes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does the assessment pathway involve?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prior to coming to the\u00a0clinic,\u00a0you\u00a0will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires online\u00a0that will begin to explore your child\u2019s speech, language,\u00a0communication\u00a0and cognitive skills.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You and your child will be\u00a0invited in for two assessment sessions at the\u00a0University of Reading Speech and Language Therapy Clinic.\u00a0Sessions\u00a0will be run by student speech and language therapists under the supervision of\u00a0a qualified speech and language\u00a0therapist<\/a>.\u00a0 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. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the\u00a0appointments\u00a0the\u00a0clinician running the session will talk with you,\u00a0talk\/play with\u00a0your child,\u00a0ask you to fill out some further questionnaire measures and will complete some assessments with your child.\u00a0They will also\u00a0observe\u00a0you playing\/talking with your child for 10\u00a0minutes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the advantages of having students involved in the sessions is that we can gather information from both\u00a0yourself\u00a0and your child simultaneously and you may find that one of the clinicians will talk to you whilst\u00a0another\u00a0plays with your child.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The clinician will explain to you what they are doing and why. You are the expert on your\u00a0child\u00a0and we value your thoughts and contributions throughout the session.\u00a0However,\u00a0 some\u00a0of the formal assessment measures\u00a0have\u00a0very strict\u00a0procedures and so there may be times we ask parents not to join in.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your child is exposed to more than one language some\u00a0additional\u00a0measures will be included\u00a0in line with best\u00a0practice. We may also work with an interpreter to support us to gather all the relevant information needed about your child\u2019s speech,\u00a0language\u00a0and communication skills.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information see\u00a0 \u2018your first paediatric appointment<\/a>‘.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is your commitment?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n