Chloë Hall Speech and Language Therapy

Assessment

What happens when I book an assessment?

Every assessment is tailored to the individual child. The aim is to build a clear understanding of your child’s communication strengths and needs, so that any recommendations are thoughtful, practical and appropriate for your child.

An assessment involves more than the time we spend together. There is important clinical work both before and after the appointment which forms part of the assessment process.

Clinical analysis of speech and language assessment findings using a digital tablet and assessment materials

The assessment pathway

Before, during and after the appointment

Before we meet

Building the background picture

Before the appointment, I’ll ask you to complete a case history questionnaire. This gives me useful information about your child’s development, your current concerns and any support they may already have received.

Where appropriate, information from nursery, school or other professionals can also help to build a fuller picture of your child’s communication.

During the assessment

Spending time with you and your child

The face-to-face assessment will typically last around 60–90 minutes, although this will vary depending on your child’s age, needs and the type of assessment required.

I select assessment activities according to your child’s needs, so not every assessment will look the same. Occasionally, further assessment may be recommended before a clear picture can be established.

After we meet

Clinical analysis and recommendations

After we meet, I carefully score and analyse assessment findings and consider how the different pieces of information fit together to understand your child’s communication profile.

This clinical analysis is an important part of the assessment and takes place after the face-to-face appointment.

During the assessment

The appointment may include

The exact combination will depend on your child and the reason for assessment.

  • talking with you about your concerns
  • observing your child’s communication
  • formal and/or informal assessment
  • discussion of initial observations and findings
  • opportunities for you to ask questions

What happens after the appointment?

The face-to-face appointment is only one part of the assessment process.

This may involve reviewing assessment results alongside observations and information from you and, where appropriate, your child’s school or nursery. I will consider what the findings mean for your child in everyday life, identify appropriate next steps and prepare individualised recommendations.

This clinical analysis is an important part of the assessment and takes place after the face-to-face appointment.

Assessment findings and recommendations

What is most useful will depend on your child’s needs.

An assessment does not automatically mean that your child will need ongoing therapy.

Following assessment, this may include:

  • a summary of the assessment findings
  • an explanation of your child’s communication profile
  • personalised recommendations
  • suggested therapy targets, where appropriate
  • information and resources to support next steps
  • recommendations for home, nursery or school, where appropriate

What happens next?

Recommendations should lead to the right next step for your child.

Depending on the findings, the next step might be advice and strategies to use at home or school, monitoring your child’s progress, further assessment or a period of Speech and Language Therapy.

If therapy is recommended, I’ll explain why I think it may be helpful and what I would suggest working on.

How much does an assessment cost?

Assessment fees reflect the whole assessment process.

Assessment fees reflect the whole assessment process, not just the face-to-face appointment. This includes the clinical analysis and work carried out afterwards.

You can find typical assessment costs, together with information about travel and how fees are calculated, on the Fees page.

View Fees