Evaluation in Speech-Language Pathology

Practice vocabulary terms related to the process of evaluation in speech-language pathology, incorporating procedures for case histories, oral mechanism exams, hearing screenings, and various assessment types.

Case History

A collection of written forms or oral interviews addressing client concerns, medical history, developmental history, and family/social backgrounds.

Oral Mechanism Evaluation

Also known as an Oral Peripheral Exam, this assessment aims to establish the integrity of the structure and function of the articulators by looking for symmetry, strength, and range of motion.

Hearing Screening

A brief procedure intended to establish the need for referral to an audiologist, including otoscopy and pure tone testing.

Otoscopy

The visual inspection of the outer and middle ear using an otoscope, which helps identify possible causes of hearing loss.

Pure Tone Screening

A screening procedure conducted at $20\,dB$ at $1000$, $2000$, and $4000\,Hz$ in each ear, using a stimulus tone at $40\,dB$ to train the client.

Informal Evaluation

A assessment phase that varies based on client needs and may include connected speech samples, checklists, and clinical observation.

Connected Speech Sample

A sample of speech elicited using pictures or conversation which is analyzed for fluency, speech sound production, and language features.

Checklists

Tools completed by the client or family members to provide information regarding their perspective on speech and language developmental skills.

Observation

The process of looking for naturalistic skills or deficits by watching a child in play, parent-child interactions, or conversation with a partner.

Standardized Assessments

Formal evaluation tools that include norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests.

Norm-referenced assessments

Evaluations that compare the client’s performance to a set of peers and result in a standard score often used for service qualification.

Criterion-referenced assessments

Evaluations that compare a client’s performance to themselves or a fixed set of criteria rather than a peer group.

Assessment Report

A written document that integrates background information, assessment results, diagnosis, recommendations, and goals.