Speech & Language
Assessment
Speech and language assessments are valuable tools used to evaluate a child's language abilities and identify areas of difficulty. These assessments help professionals develop targeted intervention plans to improve a child's language development and communication abilities.
Speech and language assessments are evaluations that help identify communication disorders or difficulties in children. These assessments can help professionals determine whether a child is meeting language and communication milestones or if they need additional support. One of the most commonly used speech and language assessments is the PLS-5.
​
The Preschool Language Scale, 5th Edition (PLS-5) is a comprehensive assessment tool used to evaluate a child's language abilities. It is suitable for children between birth and seven years of age, and it assesses both receptive and expressive language skills. The assessment takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete and includes both standardized and non-standardized measures.
​
The PLS-5 measures a child's language abilities in four key areas:
-
Auditory comprehension - this refers to a child's ability to understand spoken language.
-
Expressive communication - this refers to a child's ability to use language to express themselves.
-
Total language - this refers to a child's overall language abilities, combining both receptive and expressive skills.
-
Emerging literacy - this refers to a child's knowledge and understanding of the basic components of reading and writing.
​
The PLS-5 can help identify specific areas of difficulty in a child's language development, and it provides information that can be used to create a targeted intervention plan. The assessment results can help clinicians and educators develop appropriate goals for language development and measure progress over time.
​
During a speech and language assessment, our clinicians will typically conduct an interview with the child's parents or caregivers to gather information about the child's language development and communication skills. The assessment may also include standardized testing, observation of the child's communication abilities in natural settings, and other measures.
​
Speech and language assessments are important tools for identifying communication disorders and difficulties in children. These assessments can help professionals develop targeted intervention plans that can improve a child's language development and communication abilities. If you are concerned about your child's language development, our clinical team can help you determine if a speech and language assessment is appropriate.