Background information regarding medical history, developmental milestones will be collected via intake forms. The interview process will be guided by a series of topics: family values and goals, history of any current/prior intervention, relevant medical history, child’s interest and dislikes, speech and language concerns, sensory differences, and academic performance.

Observations at home and at school allows the SLP to collect data about a child’s communication skills in different environments. Observation data can allow the SLP to acknowledge how the communicative environment impacts their communication and learning skills.

An oral mechanism exam helps the clinician determine if the structure and function of the speech mechanisms is adequate for speech production. This involves inspecting the tongue, lisp, teeth, jaw, and palate.

Examining the client’s vocal quality can detect impairments in pitch, loudness, nasality, and hoarseness. If there are concerns, information may be collected on the impact impaired vocal quality has on daily life. Identifying the risk factors that may be causing the symptoms to worsen can be used to create a therapy program that is best suited to the child and their needs.

Interview questions will collect information about presence and absence of stuttering, onset, environment, and impact of dysfluencies academically and socially. An analysis of speech fluency skills and stuttering-related behaviors determines if the client is experience stuttering or cluttering.

For younger children, this may look like collecting a speech sample through play and looking at pictures together. For older children, a speech sample and information from the client about their feelings and attitude toward speech will guide therapy recommendations.