What to Expect During a Speech and Language Evaluation for Children
A speech and language evaluation is the first step in understanding how a child communicates. Parents and adults often feel nervous before the appointment, but knowing what to expect can make the process easier.
This guide explains how speech and language evaluations work and how they support your child’s growth.
Key Takeaways
A speech and language evaluation identifies strengths and areas that may need support in communication skills.
The process usually includes a parent interview, direct testing, and observation of your child’s speech and language.
Speech language pathologists use standardized tests, informal tasks, and play-based activities to assess skills.
Families receive a clear report with recommendations for therapy or follow-up.
Why a Speech and Language Evaluation Matters
What Happens During the Evaluation
What Happens After the Speech Language Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions About Speech and Language Evaluation
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help with Speech and Language Evaluation
Why a Speech and Language Evaluation Matters
An evaluation helps determine how your child’s speech, language, and communication skills compare to those of other children of the same age. Speech language pathologists look at both receptive language and expressive language. This information helps guide therapy and school support programs.
An early evaluation gives children access to therapy when they need it most. Early services improve communication skills and reduce long-term challenges. Families also learn strategies to help their child speak and interact at home.
What Happens During the Evaluation
Parent Interview and Case History
The speech language pathologist begins with a discussion with parents or caregivers. They ask questions about medical history, family background, and your child’s speech development. Parents share examples of their child’s talking, play, and social interactions.
This step helps the speech pathologist understand how the child uses communication at home and in the classroom. Parents can also explain concerns about voice, stuttering, or their child’s vocal quality. Every detail adds to a complete picture of the child’s communication skills.
Direct Testing with Standardized Language Assessments
Speech language pathologists use standardized tests to measure language and speech development. These tests compare your child’s performance to that of other children the same age. Tasks might include following directions, naming objects, or answering questions.
Language assessments focus on receptive language, expressive language, and vocabulary. Speech evaluation activities may check articulation, voice resonance, fluency, and sentence production. The speech pathologist may also listen to your child in conversation or during short sentences.
Informal Activities and Observations
In addition to formal assessments, speech pathologists use play and natural conversation to see how a child communicates. Play-based evaluation is useful for younger children who may not respond well to structured tests.
Observations may include how your child requests items, responds to questions, or uses words and phrases during play. These moments reveal how speech and language skills appear in real settings.
Assessing Speech, Language, and Communication Skills
Receptive and Expressive Language
Receptive language is how a child understands words, phrases, and directions. Expressive language is how a child uses words, sentences, and conversation to share ideas. Both areas are measured during a language evaluation.
For example, the speech pathologist may ask a child to point to pictures in a book or follow classroom-style directions. Expressive tasks may include describing a picture, retelling a story, or forming sentences with given words.
Speech Sound Production and Voice
The speech evaluation includes checking how a child produces sounds, words, and sentences. The speech pathologist listens for clarity, accuracy, and any patterns of speech errors. They may also assess tongue movement and oral structures that affect speech.
Voice and resonance are also considered. The speech pathologist may listen for hoarseness, pitch differences, or changes in vocal quality that affect communication.
Fluency and Stuttering
Some evaluations include looking at fluency, which refers to how smoothly a child speaks. Stuttering may appear as repetitions, blocks, or prolongations in words. The speech pathologist tracks these patterns during conversation and short sentences.
Observations also include the child’s feelings about talking. Confidence and comfort in communication are key parts of fluency assessment.
The Right Time for a Speech Language Evaluation
For more information about the right time to schedule a speech-language evaluation, check out this blog!
What Happens After the Speech Language Evaluation
Scoring and Analysis
After completing the testing, the speech pathologist scores standardized assessments and reviews observations. Results show how your child’s communication skills compare to those of other children of the same age. Each score helps determine strengths and areas that may need therapy.
The speech pathologist then combines test scores with real-life observations. This analysis provides a balanced description of how your child communicates in different settings.
Report and Recommendations
Families receive a written report that includes test scores, descriptions, and recommendations. The report explains receptive language, expressive language, speech, and voice results. It also describes classroom impact and daily communication skills.
Recommendations may include direct therapy, school support, or home activities. Some children may not need therapy but benefit from monitoring.
Follow-Up and Services
Once the report is shared, the speech pathologist discusses the next steps with families. Some children begin therapy right away, while others may be rechecked after a few months.
Speech therapy sessions focus on speech, language, or fluency, depending on evaluation results. Families often receive strategies for play and conversation practice at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speech and Language Evaluation
1. What is included in a speech and language evaluation?
A speech and language evaluation includes standardized tests, parent interviews, and direct observation of your child’s communication.
It covers receptive and expressive language, speech sound production, and voice quality. Speech pathologists also consider fluency and social use of language. Families receive a report that summarizes all results.
2. How long does a speech and language evaluation take?
Most speech and language evaluations take between 45 minutes and two hours. Younger children may need shorter sessions with breaks, while older students may complete longer assessments in one sitting. Time varies based on the child’s age, attention, and the number of areas assessed.
3. At what age should a child receive a speech and language evaluation?
Children can be evaluated for speech and language concerns at any age. Toddlers may be assessed for vocabulary growth or short sentences. Older students may need testing for expressive language, stuttering, or classroom communication. Early evaluation helps provide therapy at the right time.
4. What happens if my child needs therapy after the evaluation?
If your child needs therapy, the speech-language pathologist will recommend a treatment plan. Therapy may focus on articulation, receptive language, expressive language, or fluency. Families are given activities to support progress at home.
5. How do standardized tests help in a speech and language evaluation?
Standardized tests compare your child’s communication skills to those of other children the same age. These tests provide objective scores for receptive language, expressive language, and speech. Results are combined with observations and parent input to create a complete picture.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help with Speech and Language Evaluation
Connected Speech Pathology provides online speech and language evaluations for children of all ages. Families meet with a certified speech-language pathologist from home, which makes scheduling easier and creates a more comfortable experience for children.
During evaluations, our team uses standardized assessments, conversation samples, and play-based activities. Afterward, families can choose to continue working with our therapists through individualized online therapy programs.
You can contact Connected Speech Pathology to schedule an evaluation or request more information about therapy options. Our sessions fit naturally into daily routines, and parents receive practical strategies to support communication at home.
Summary
A speech and language evaluation helps families understand their child’s communication strengths and needs. The process includes parent interviews, standardized tests, and observation in natural settings. Results guide recommendations for therapy, school programs, or home support.
Early assessment helps children develop strong communication skills that benefit school, friendships, and family life.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a communication coach, speech-language pathologist, and founder of Connected Speech Pathology, an international online practice providing professional communication coaching and speech therapy for children, teens, and adults. With more than two decades of experience, she has worked in medical and educational settings, published research on aphasia, and leads a team of specialists helping clients improve skills in public speaking, vocal presence, accent clarity, articulation, language, fluency, and interpersonal communication.
