Neurodevelopmental Assessment
What is a speech and language therapist?
Speech and language therapists are qualified professionals with specific expertise in the study, assessment and support of speech, language and communication needs. They also contribute to the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental differences such as autism, developmental language disorder and ADHD, working closely with other professionals involved in the diagnostic process.
Why has my child been referred for a specialist assessment?
Your child has been referred for a specialist speech, language and communication assessment.
The speech and language therapist will consider aspects of your child's development including:
- understanding what others are saying to them
- use of spoken language
- non-verbal communication
- developmental of different types of play
- preferences in interaction with others
- creativity
- sensory differences (e.g. sensitivity to sound, touch, light etc).
Your child may show differences in some or all of these areas, and these differences may be more noticeable in one place than another, for example at home or at school.
"Great service, so helpful"
What can I expect from the speech and language therapy service?
Following acceptance of a referral by the service, your child will be placed on our specialist waiting list and an appointment allocated with a speech and language therapist with specialist skills and knowledge in neurodevelopmental differences.
The therapist will use observations and informal or formal assessments to identify your child’s specific areas of speech, language and communication needs. We adopt a flexible approach to the format of the assessment depending on the age of the child and other individual circumstances.
The appointment may take place in a clinic location, or school, or occasionally at home. Very occasionally, the assessment process may require more than one appointment session.
Your appointment letter will provide you with full details.
Following the appointment, the therapist will provide a written report for your child’s lead clinician (usually a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist). You will be sent two copies of our report, one of which you may wish to share with your child’s school or pre-school/nursery.
The overall outcome of the diagnostic process is managed by your child’s lead clinician (usually a paediatrician or psychiatrist) who will arrange to meet with you to discuss the conclusions of the assessments by all the professionals involved.
Most children we see for this specialist assessment do not require further support from the speech and language therapy service. For a small number of children who have additional speech, language or fluency difficulties, a referral may be made to our community therapy service. This will be discussed with you at the time of the assessment.
"...really good at putting my daughter at ease and explaining everything to us"
Further information and support
Information on what to expect and how to prepare for the first appointment will be sent out with the appointment letter. In the meantime, you may find it helpful to access the following information and support:
NHS Choices - NHS services information
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists - further reading
The National Autistic Society