Speech & Language Assessment
Our goal is to help children feel confident communicating and to support families in related ways.
Why Assess?
A speech and language assessment identifies if a child is communicating and using speech and language in developmentally expected ways.
If you have questions about your child’s ability to talk, understand or communicate verbally or nonverbally, then assessment may be beneficial. A speech and language assessment can also help with school readiness, learning, and social interaction.
The results guide us in providing practical strategies and support, whether that involves therapy, home activities, or simply monitoring progress over time.
Who to Assess?
Late talkers or not yet using words
Children who are hard to understand
With difficulty following instructions
Those with limited vocabulary or short sentences
Children who stutter or with ‘voice’ concerns
Social communication difficulties (e.g., turn-taking, conversation)
Signs to Look Out For?
- Not babbling or making many sounds as a baby
- Not responding to their name
- Fewer words than expected for their age
- Frustration when trying to communicate
- Trouble being understood by others
- Difficulty telling stories or expressing ideas
Developmental Language Disorder
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a condition where a child has persistent difficulties with language that are not caused by other conditions like hearing loss, intellectual disability, autism, or neurological damage. It affects how children understand and use language, and it can impact learning, social interactions, and daily life. A children would have participated in substantial speech therapy before a diagnosis of DLD would result.
Language Development Centre (LDC) Applications
Millstream Paediatrics completes LDC applications. Applications require speech and language assessment and may require psychological assessment.