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Speech and Language Therapy Assessment
Children are assessed formally and informally, using words, pictures and toys. Formal assessment involves comparing the child's skills against the expected norm for their age. This produces a percentile rank which categorises the child's ability as mildly, moderately or severely delayed or disordered. Formal assessment is required for detailed formal reports, such as statementing or tribunal reports.

Informal assessment is carried out for all children at the start of a therapy block. This involves identifying areas of delay or deficit, which are then targeted in therapy. Diagnostic therapy is used to further assess difficulties and test therapy techniques against the child's engagement and response. Appropriate treatment goals can then be set and therapy tasks can be planned.
Diagnosis
A formal diagnosis of speech, language or communication delay or disorder can be provided if required. Additionally, conditions such as stammering or verbal dyspraxia can be diagnosed.
Therapy
Most children attend sessions in order to access direct, one-to-one therapy which will improve their communication skills. Therapy goals are set following the initial assessment and are worked towards for six sessions. Goals are evaluated every seven sessions and updated as appropriate. Some children attend therapy for one block of sessions which remediates their difficulty, whereas others will attend for many months in order to work upon a wider range of skills.

At The Speech Clinic, we endeavour to make therapy sessions enjoyable for your child so that homework tasks are not arduous between sessions. Your Therapist will use play, games, floor-based activities and rewards in order to engage your child's attention and motivate them to work on difficult areas. Children's learning is naturally stimulated through play, so activities are playful in nature, even when targeting difficult speech or language structures.
Formal Report
A formal Initial Assessment Report can be provided (at an additional charge) if required after completion of the assessment sessions.

Some children are referred to The Speech Clinic for the purpose of formal assessment and reporting ahead of planning meetings, tribunals or medico-legal proceedings. Additionally, some children are resident in the UK for a short period and require a formal report to guide intervention in their home country.
Programme of Activities
A Programme of Activities can be provided (at an additional charge) alongside a formal report. The programme details specific activities which can be practised with the child at home or school in order to develop speech, language or communication skills which are delayed. Activities are explained in detail and resources are provided in order for adults to carry out the tasks with the child.