Speech, language & communication
Our play-based speech therapy supports young people to strengthen connections
through expression, being understood and understanding others.
The nature, purpose and benefit of assessment
A speech and language assessment provides information to assist parents, schools and other professionals in understanding the communication style, strengths and support needs of the young person to inform diagnosis, therapy planning and communication strategies.
Connections WA uses a range of formal and informal assesments to determine a young person’s preferences strengths, and support needs with regards to communication, understanding and getting along with others to enable our young people to flourish.
Speech assessment is suitable for parents who wish to determine the speech sound development skills of their child. Parents may be concerned about whether their child is able to use all the speech sounds relevant for their age or may find that people who don’t know the child well have difficulty understanding their child’s speech.
Assessments
Connections WA has a vast amount of experience to deliver a collaborative approach to working with young people, parents and schools. At Connections WA our approach is comprehensive and follows evidence–based practice. We assess through clinical interviewing, observing, play based activities, questionnaires, and formal assessments. We offer the following formal assessments:
Celf 5
Celf P3
CTTOP
TOWRE
Rossetti
DEAP
McArthur bates CDI
ASSESSMENTS
If additional sessions are needed, additional costs apply. See assessment fee schedule.
Initial Assessment of speech
This assessment includes an initial consultation meeting with parents to discuss the child’s developmental history and strengths and difficulties related to their speech, assessment of the child’s speech skills (using the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and PhonologyDEAP and collection of a spontaneous speech sample during play), a written report and a feedback meeting with parents. Please note that verification of suspected diagnosis in children with severe speech sound disorders, such as dyspraxia, may require further assessment. This will be discussed with parents during the assessment process.
Cost: $1,400
Social interaction style and preferences
This assessment of social interaction style and preferences is suitable for parents who have autistic or neurospicy children. The parent or child may be concerned about getting along with others, making and keeping friends or helping the child to advocate for their needs with others.This assessment includes an initial consultation meeting with parents to discuss their perspective of the child’s interactions and preferences, assessment of the child’s concerns and insight, observation of the child interacting at home, at school or in the community, a written report and a feedback meeting with parents.
Cost: $1,600
receptive and expressive language
Suitable for parents of children who are non speaking or partially speaking or whose speech is difficult for others to understand. This assessment is tailored to the needs of the child and involves liaison with care givers in all environments, supporting the family to access communication systems for trialling, supporting the child and the family throughout a trial and completion of documentation to apply for funding.
Cost: $2,000
receptive language, expressive language and speech
This comprehensive assessment is suitable for parents who wish to determine the language and speech sound development skills of their child. Parents may be concerned about how well their child understands others, communicates to others and how well others understand their speech.This assessment includes an initial consultation meeting with parents to discuss the child’s developmental history and strengths and difficulties related to their language and speech, formal and informal assessment of the child’s language skills, and assessment of speech skills (using the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology; DEAP), a written report and a feedback meeting with parents. Please note the different rate if the assessment is for an application to enter a Language Development Centre, due to additional assessments and liaison with the School Psychologist being required.
Cost: $3,000
preparation for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) trials
Suitable for parents of children who are non speaking or partially speaking or whose speech is difficult for others to understand. This assessment is tailored to the needs of the child and involves liaison with care givers in all environments, supporting the family to access communication systems for trialling, supporting the child and the family throughout a trial and completion of documentation to apply for funding.
Cost: $3,500
Speech and language assessment
Suitable for parents looking to determine the speech sound development, expressive language skills and comprehension skills of their child. This assessment includes an initial consultation meeting with parents, a full speech and language assessment of the young person (1-2 sessions), a written report, feedback meeting with parents.
Cost: $3,000
Steps of the assessment process
Consultation Meeting
Pre reading made by the Speech Therapist of the school, speech/OT/Pead reports etc, prior to meeting the parents to undertake a structured clinical interview.
Assessments
Meeting with the young person to commence testing. Depending upon the presentation on the day, testing may be over multiple sessions. Other questionnaires emailed depending on the assessment requested.
Written report
The Speech Pathologist will Interpret the data and findings to develop a report specific to the young person.
Feedback meeting
Meeting with the parents to present the report and discuss the findings and recommendations. This may includes 20-minute telephone/teams meeting with the school.
Request for additional consultation
Parents may request a school meeting or case conference, based upon an hourly rate $193.99 plus travel time and km charge.
Preparing the young person for the assessment
Ensure your son or daughter is well-rested the day before and has a good nights sleep. Please ensure they have breakfast on the day and bring a water bottle and a snack.
Explain they will attending an appointment to play games and work with a speech pathologist to help them be understood. Please do not tell them they need to speak.
If your son or daughter normally wears glasses, or has a hearing aid, please make sure they have them on the day of the assessment. Please wear comfortable clothes.