The school setting may experience numerous learners who are incapable of expressing their ideas or emotions through speech. For this reason, it is necessary for a speech pathologist to undertake specialized diagnostic assessment. The formal non biased evaluation involves administering formal screening assessments that have normative data and cut off scores that provide evidence of sensitivity and specificity. In this case, the specialist identifies the learner’s ability to undertake significant standardized tests as per the age and level of learning required. The informal assessment involves measures designed by the clinician and tailored to the needs of the individual or population screened. In this case, the speech pathologist may observe the student attempting speech production, comprehension of language and its production, and social communication in the natural environment.
Interpreting Formal Specialized Diagnostic Assessment
The observations made in a formal screening test will identify the student’s ability to effectively pronounce and understand meaning of the vocabulary. The learner shows their ability to pronounce correctly the words presented on a sheet of paper. In addition, the speech pathologist may require the individual to state the different meanings of the words or use them in a grammatically correct sentence.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Interpreting Informal Specialized Diagnostic Assessment
The speech pathologist should take significant caution to avoid bias during the interpretation of informal assessments. As the measures of evaluation are created by the clinician, it may result in significant bias against the child. The literacy skills are evident in the natural setting as the individual learner can mention objects or various abstract ideas using the vocabulary already understood. The lack of it may result in the student isolating himself or herself so as to avoid embarrassing situations.
Use of Assessment in Designing Programs and Placement Decisions
The information drawn from the assessment is important as it identifies the current state of the student and the capability they could achieve when placed within individualized programs. The assessment clearly denotes the significant problem that may affect the child such that it hinders appropriate communication. In this case, the various disabilities may include autism spectrum disorders (ASD), specified language disorders, dyslexia, speech and sound disorders, down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and aphasia. In each case, the specialized treatment is different.
