Appraisal: Collection of Data

What is the difference between screening and comprehensive assessment?

• Screening is a quick evaluation to see if further assessment is needed; it cannot diagnose a disorder.

• Comprehensive assessment provides detailed information on the nature and severity of speech sound disorders, guides treatment planning, and establishes baselines for progress monitoring.

Screening

A quick evaluation to see if further assessment is needed; it cannot diagnose a disorder

Comprehensive Assessment

Provides detailed information on the nature and severity of speech sound disorders, guides treatment planning, and establishes baselines for progress monitoring

Can a screening diagnose a speech sound disorder?

No. It only indicates if further assessment is needed. Factors like shyness, unfamiliarity, or having a “bad day” can affect results

What are the advantages and disadvantages of articulation testing?

• PROS: Structured, standardized, and efficient,

• CONS: May not reflect a child’s natural speech patterns

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a connected speech sample?

PROS: Provides authentic data on speech in real-life communication

CONS: More time-consuming than standardized tests

What is stimulability?

Assessing a child’s ability to correctly produce a misarticulated sound when given a model or support

Why is stimulability important?

It helps guide treatment by showing which sounds are easier to remediate, predicting therapy progress, and deciding which sounds to target first

Why is it important to transcribe speech samples live?

Live transcription captures more naturalistic speech. Recordings may miss exact productions.

What is the purpose of evaluating the speech mechanism?

To ensure structures and functions for speech are intact.

• Findings can change therapy if structural or functional issues (e.g., a hole in the palate) are affecting speech production.

What are diadochokinetic (DDK) rates and why are they measured?

Assess speed and coordination of rapid, repetitive syllables (e.g., puh-tuh-kuh) to evaluate motor speech control, oral-motor coordination, and potential disorders like apraxia.

Why include hearing and language measures in a speech assessment?

Affects perception of speech sounds, which impacts language. Language assessment identifies strengths and weaknesses. Together, they ensure accurate diagnosis and guide intervention.

How does an SLP assess perceptual ability and which sounds are tested?

Using auditory discrimination, minimal pair testing, and sound imitation. Focus on high-frequency sounds, voiced vs. voiceless contrasts, and place of articulation pairs to promote system-wide generalization.

What is emerging phonology?

Occurs when a child’s sound system is limited and not yet rule-governed

Why emerging phonology challenging to assess?

Errors are inconsistent, making assessment and treatment difficult

• For “cat”, they might say “tat” one time and “ca” another time

What is intelligibility?

How much of a child’s speech is understood by listeners

How is intelligibility measured?

May require adaptations like repetition, gestures, or alternative communication to gather accurate data

How can assessments be adapted for an unintelligible speaker?

Always gloss (repeat or write down what the child is trying to say in standard or clear words) what the child says, structure conversation predictably, and anticipate responses to improve understanding of hard productions.