Speech language assessments can feel like putting together a puzzle—you need all the right pieces to see the full picture of a child’s language abilities. A well-thought-out speech language assessment plan not only helps you identify areas of need but also ensures your evaluation is comprehensive and tailored to the individual student.
In this post, we’ll walk through the 7 essential components of a solid speech language assessment plan. From standardized tests to classroom observations, each piece plays a critical role in understanding and supporting your student’s communication journey. Let’s dive in!
Why Use a Speech Language Assessment Checklist?
Creating your own checklist can be time-consuming, but it’s a valuable tool to ensure your speech language assessments are thorough. However, to save time and effort, consider using a professionally designed checklist that’s already been created for you. These tools can streamline your process and help you stay organized. This can be purchased as part of the Ultimate SLP Dashboard Templates Click on the picture below to see page 2 (of 4) of the language checklist.
7 Essential Components for Your Next Language Assessment Plan
When planning an language assessment, it’s important to include a variety of measures to get a complete picture of a child’s communication abilities. Here’s what I like to include:
1. Standardized Assessment for Language
Use a standardized test to compare the child’s language abilities to those of same-age peers. Remember, standardized tests are only one piece of the puzzle. Results should be interpreted with caution, as the normative sample might not reflect the student’s cultural or linguistic background.
2. Criterion Referenced Checklist for Language
A criterion-referenced assessment is a method of evaluating a student’s performance against a set of predetermined criteria or standards, meaning their achievement is judged based on specific learning objectives rather than how they compare to other students in a group. ASHA Communication Milestones can be used as a criterion-referenced assessment with younger students.
3. Language Sample
A language sample is an example of how the child uses language in natural contexts. In addition to measuring mean length of utterance, it’s a great way to analyze grammar, vocabulary, and sentence complexity. SUGAR is an easy language sample analysis method that is perfect for the busy SLP.
4. Narrative Language Samples
Narrative tasks assess a child’s ability to organize thoughts and express ideas in structured language. These samples highlight key areas such as grammar, vocabulary, and storytelling ability. SLAM is a free assessment tool that is great for obtaining and analyzing narrative language samples.
5. Classroom Observation
Determining educational impact is a necessary part of a speech language assessment plan, and what better way to collect data than to observe the student in the classroom? Observe the child in their natural learning environment to see how language difficulties impact communication, participation, and interaction with peers and teachers. Remember to compare the student to a typically developing peer to determine if they are performing like others in the classroom. Depending on what the class is doing, this might also be a good time to talk with the teacher about your observations and ask questions.
6. Work Samples and Academic Data
This is also a great way to determine if the child’s language difficulties have an educational impact. Review work samples and academic data, including district and classroom assessments, to understand how language difficulties may affect academic performance. If this data wasn’t collected during the review of records, now is the time to gather it. If you haven’t talked with the teacher yet, analyzing work samples together might be a perfect way to connect about the child’s difficulties in class.
Check out this blog post for tips on effective record reviews.
7. Dynamic Assessments
Dynamic assessment (DA) is a method used in speech therapy to evaluate a person’s potential to learn a language skill. It’s an interactive approach that involves testing, teaching, and retesting.
What if English Is Not My Student’s First Language?
Conducting a speech language assessment for multilingual students requires additional considerations. Evaluate the child’s language abilities in all languages they speak, if possible, to get a more accurate picture. Collaborate with interpreters, bilingual specialists, or cultural liaisons to ensure assessments are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Consider using dynamic assessment approaches to focus on learning potential rather than relying solely on standardized tests, which may not be normed for multilingual populations.
Where can I find FREE resources to help collect all this language assessment data?
Many of the measures listed above can be obtained through FREE resources from reputable internet sites. Click on the links next to each measurement to see the resources OR purchase the Ultimate SLP Dashboard to get a language checklist with links included, plus templates to help you write your report.
Wrapping Up Your Speech Language Assessment Plan
An effective speech language assessment plan requires careful planning, a variety of tools, and a commitment to understanding the whole child. By following these key components and utilizing a structured checklist, you’ll be better equipped to create meaningful evaluations that support student success.
Ready to streamline your speech language assessment process? Explore our professionally designed checklists and resources to save time and stay organized.
Do you have a favorite strategy or tool for articulation assessments? Share your tips or questions in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
