Speech & Language Assessment StaffingHouston, TX
A speech and language assessment helps identify and address concerns in a student’s communication skills. Through speech and language assessment staffing consultants, schools gain greater access to local and online experienced professionals. By using these services, schools will be able to meet state and SPED guidelines while ensuring their students receive the evaluation and care they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.
At Texas Therapy Consultants, we offer speech and language assessment staffing to public, charter, and independent school districts. Located in Houston, our administrative team works with schools to find the right professional to perform assessments in short- and long-term products. Call us at (832) 742-1422 to schedule a consultation.
The Importance of Speech and Language Assessments
Speech is a communicative skill that allows people to understand each other, exchange ideas, and interact effectively. However, disruption to this process can lead to issues later on and necessitate a speech and language assessment. Speech disturbances can occur when a student has difficulty expressing themselves in spoken words (content formation) or physically producing the sounds needed for intelligible speech (articulation).
A speech and language assessment, also known as a speech-language pathology (SLP) assessment or speech and language assessment, can identify the root cause of a child’s speech problems or patterns of speaking issues. The staff can also evaluate if the student has a speech or language delay due to a developmental condition, such as autism or cerebral palsy, oral-motor or hearing difficulties, or environmental factors like lack of stimulation or exposure to spoken language. This assessment can help parents and educators determine the level of future speech and language therapy that the child may need as part of their academic pursuits and overall social development.
“A speech and language assessment can help identify the root cause of a child’s speech problems or patterns of speaking issues.”
Who Can Perform a Speech and Language Assessment
A speech and language assessment can be performed by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP). This professional, also known as a Speech Therapist, holds a master’s or doctoral degree and a state license to diagnose and treat speech and language disorders. SLPs are often certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which grants the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Additionally, a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) can also perform some assessment tasks under an SLP’s direct supervision. In some cases, SLPs may also need specialized knowledge of motor learning theory and differential diagnosis of motor speech disorders to diagnose and treat conditions like Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) or swallowing disorders.
Through speech and language assessment staffing services, the Texas Therapy Consultants team connects schools with certified SLPs to perform the assessments their students need. We ensure that they are qualified to perform SLP assessments to diagnose communication disorders in students. Then, the SLP can work with the student, their parents, teachers, and school administration to develop a speech therapy program tailored to their specific needs.
“A speech and language assessment can be performed by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP).”
Types of Speech and Language Assessments
SLPs and SLPAs use a variety of assessments to evaluate a student’s communication abilities..Some of the most commonly used speech and language assessments include:
- Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation (GFTA-3): Measures how well a student produces speech sounds in words and sentences.
- Preschool Language Scale (PLS-5):Evaluates receptive and expressive language skills in young children.
- Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-5): Assesses a wide range of language abilities in students.
- Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-5): Tests receptive vocabulary by requiring students to point to pictures that represent spoken words.
- Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI-4): Measures the frequency, duration, and physical aspects of stuttering behaviors.
- Voice Handicap Index (VHI): A self-report tool used to measure the functional, emotional, and physical impact of voice disorders.
Each of these assessments measures different areas of communication, including speech production, language comprehension and expression, voice, fluency, and social communication. Additionally, SLPs use standardized tests to provide measurable data that can be compared to developmental norms. Meanwhile, informal tools such as language samples and observations offer valuable insights into the student’s real-life communication skills.
“Each of these assessments measures different areas of communication, including speech production, language comprehension and expression, voice, fluency, and social communication.”
What to Expect During the Assessment
During a speech and language assessment, the SLP or SLPA will gather the student’s background from parents, teachers, and academic records to understand their communication needs and limitations. They will also collaborate with the student’s teachers to assess how their communication difficulties may affect their academic development and participation.
The speech and language assessment staffing services will coordinate with the school and the SLP to determine the timing, contract length, and payment. In some cases, we can also work with schools that may need online services to make the assessment process more accessible. The Texas Therapy Consultants team strives to bridge the connection between the SLP and school districts as seamlessly as possible to address each student’s unique needs.
“The speech and language assessment staffing services will coordinate with the school and the SLP to determine the timing, contract length, and payment.”
What to Do With the Assessment Results
The steps after the speech and language assessment will depend on the type of assessment, the student’s age, any pre-existing conditions, and parental and teacher input. The SLP will share the assessment findings with the student’s parents, teachers, and the school. If the student requires further evaluation or treatment, the SLP will develop a treatment plan to address specific goals, including therapy techniques and the frequency and duration of sessions. For example, some students may need speech therapy once a week for a short time to meet specific developmental goals. In contrast, other students may need speech therapy multiple days a week for several months or even years. Our speech and language assessment staffing services can work with schools to provide SLPs or SLPAs on both short- and long-term contracts.
SLPs use a variety of techniques to address the student’s needs and goals. These may include:
- Articulation practice
- Language intervention
- Modeling language (e.g., self-talk or parallel talk)
- Fluency shaping for shuttering
- Oral motor exercises to strengthen facial muscles
- Augmented communication styles (e.g., sign language or white boards)
- Play- or visual-based therapy
The techniques used will depend on the student’s needs and if they have co-existing conditions. Through contracts with speech and language assessment staffing services, SLPs will work with each student, their caregivers, and educators to create an encouraging environment during their speech development journey.
“The steps after the speech and language assessment will depend on the type of assessment, the student’s age, any co-existing conditions, and parental input.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Why would a student need a speech and language assessment?
Q. Who can perform a speech and language assessment?
Q. What types of assessments do SLPs use to evaluate students?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you find the right speech and language assessment professionals?
A. Through speech and language assessment staffing services, Texas Therapy Consultants will work with your school to find a local or online SLP or SLPA. We do the heavy lifting of verifying their credentials, evaluating their communication style, and ensuring the selected provider will adhere to state and SPED guidelines.
Q. Can a student have a speech and language assessment online?
A. Yes, in some cases, an SLP can perform a speech and language assessment through online therapy services. However, it does require a high-quality audio and video connection and parent participation to assist with specific tasks. It also depends on the type of assessment that the student needs.
Q. Why would students need speech therapy after a speech and language assessment?
A. Based on a speech and language assessment, the student would need speech therapy if they show a delay or disorder that impacts their ability to communicate, participate in class, or socialize with peers and teachers. The SLP will determine the specific communication challenges they are experiencing and create a targeted speech therapy program. After the assessment process is complete, our team will work with your school to provide short- and long-term speech therapy staffing services to address the student’s needs.
Q. What is the difference between a formal and informal speech and language assessment?
A. A speech and language assessment can include formal and informal assessment measures. Formal measures are standard assessments that refer to age groups and populations similar to the student. These assessments help determine how the student compares to their peers on communication tasks. In contrast, informal measures involve the SLP gathering information about the student’s communication through observation and interaction with them, as well as interviewing their teachers and caregivers.
Q. Is there a way to get an SLP who is bilingual?
A. We understand that many students come from multicultural backgrounds who speak more than one language, which can create issues in the assessment process, particularly if they speak English as a second language. Fortunately, we work with bilingual or multilingual SLPs who can make the assessment more accessible to students from multicultural backgrounds.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Headquartered in Houston, Texas Therapy Consultants is here to help your students achieve. We provide speech and language assessment staffing services to public, private, charter, and specialty schools. Give us a call today at (832) 742-1422 and schedule a consultation.
Contact Us
Texas Therapy Consultants is located at
1710 S Dairy Ashford Rd., Ste # 203
Houston,
TX 77077
Related Posts
Welcome To Texas Therapy Consultants
At Texas Therapy Consultants, we help school leaders make informed, confident decisions about staffing for therapy in schools. Our blog educates readers on different staffing solutions, consulting services, and program management. From school special education staffing to specialized assessment and consulting services and more, our readers and clients can find information on maintaining compliance and…