When making the assessment appointment, please state the reason you are arranging the appointment and/or the reason your child has been referred for an assessment. Please state the specific communication difficulties.

• You will be asked for an email address and forms will be emailed to you. Please complete these forms as thoroughly as possible as this will provide the therapist with important information regarding your child’s background and development.
• When making the appointment, please consider your child’s nap times. Do not schedule the appointment just before or during a child’s regular nap time.
• Before attending your appointment, pleasure ensure that your child has had something to eat and drink, is well rested and has been to the bathroom. Please refrain from bringing food to the practice or into the assessment session.
• If your child makes use of any medications for their attention and concentration, please ensure that this medication has been given prior to the assessment.
• Please bring any referral letters from your current physician or any other applicable doctors and professionals (e.g. Educators, Occupational Therapists, etc.).

After, your child will then accompany the therapist for the assessment. The assessment will be completed in approximately 30-90 minutes.

The assessment consists of the following:

• For children aged 0-3 years old, a play-based assessment is used. Parents will be
  asked to sit in and at times may be asked to participate in the assessment or answer questions based on the skills the therapist is attempting to elicit. Although the assessment is play-based, standardised tests are used.
• For children aged 3 years and older, a more structured assessment is conducted.
  The child will be expected to look at a series of pictures, identify pictures named,
  name pictures, provide descriptive verbal responses when target pictures are
  presented, answer questions and where applicable, they may be asked to read
  and/or write, engage in general conversations, etc.
• After the assessment, verbal feedback will be provided. If the parents require a report, a report will be written and given within 10 working days.
• A management plan will be discussed and regular therapy sessions may be recommended in order to address the areas of difficulty which have been identified.
• Referrals to other professionals (e.g. Paediatric Neurologist; Occupational Therapist) may be made.

Speech and language

• When making the appointment, please state the reason you are arranging the
  appointment and/or the reason for the referral. Please state the specific communication difficulties (e.g. difficulty recalling words).
• Bring any referral letters from your current physician or any other appropriate
  doctors and professionals.
• The assessment will be completed in approximately 30-90 minutes.
• The therapist will first conduct an interview with the patient and/or their caregivers to obtain more information about the current difficulties and determine the expectations of the assessment.
• An oral motor examination will be conducted where the patient will be asked to
  perform specific oral activities while the therapist examines the range of movement, strength and co-ordination of the relevant muscles and structures needed for speech.
• The assessment will require the patient to name pictures and objects, repeat words and sounds, follow instructions, engage in descriptive speech activities, read words and short paragraphs (where applicable), answer questions , etc.
•  Feedback will be given and where applicable, referrals to other health professionals (e.g. Physiotherapist; Occupational Therapist) may be made.
• A management plan will be discussed and regular therapy sessions may be
  recommended where appropriate.

Swallowing difficulties

• When making the appointment, please state any dietary requirements and list food consistencies that are currently challenging to consume.
• Bring any referral letters from your current physician or other professionals.
• The assessment will be completed in approximately 30-90 minutes.
• The therapist will first conduct an interview with the patient and/or their caregivers to obtain more information about the current difficulties and determine the expectations of the assessment.
• The assessment will require the patient to eat a variety of different food
  consistencies (which will be provided) and the therapist will assess the patient’s
  swallow. The patient may be required to perform certain techniques to assist with
  the swallowing difficulties. An oral motor examination will be conducted where the patient will be asked to perform specific oral activities while the therapist examines the range of movement, strength and co-ordination of the relevant muscles and structures needed for swallowing.
• Feedback will be given and dietary changes may be made to ensure that the
  patient’s swallowing is safe and efficient. Follow-up sessions may be needed to monitor the swallowing difficulties and to track progress.
• Referral to a dietician and/or other professionals may also be advised.