9/4 & 9/9-parts of an assessment & the diagnostician's roles and responsibilities

Question 1

What are the parts of an assessment? and what is a very important thing we must keep in mind?

Answer 1

assessment tool

Analysis

collaboration

Collection

Experience

knowledge

Interview

Observation

research

reporting

**We need to keep in mind that the assessment tool is a very very small piece of the pie!

Question 2

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about the assessment tool?

Answer 2

assessment tools are just a small portion of an assessment

Question 3

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about the interview?

Answer 3

you want to know their background history (ie: if they speak multiple languages)

Question 4

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about collection?

Answer 4

collect information from other people, you want information from other therapies, from doctors, parents, teachers, etc.

Question 5

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about collaboration?

Answer 5

your going to collaborate with people who are involved with your client

Question 6

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about “knowledge”?

Answer 6

knowing what is normal and what’s not normal. We need to know what’s expected at different ages.

Question 7

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about experience?

Answer 7

there’s something to say about experience, much is learned through experience

Question 8

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about research?

Answer 8

you need to be a good researcher b/c it’s not possible to know everything about everything

Question 9

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about reporting?

Answer 9

reporting is not just writing up a report, it is being able to sit down with the family and give them the results of your assessment

Question 10

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about the analysis?

Answer 10

you need to be a good analyzer. after looking @ the results of the assessment, you need to determine what recommendation you will give for this individual. look at what’s functional and meaningful for the individual.

Question 11

In terms of parts of an assessment, what should we know about observation?

Answer 11

there is so much to be gained through observing the client. (harms thinks this is the most important)

Question 12

What are the various roles of an SLP during the assessment process?

Answer 12

• coordinator
• consultant
• diagnostician
• interviewer
• parent counselor
• record keeper
• researcher
• student
• teacher

Question 13

What is an evaluation and what forms of probes/testing do we use?

Answer 13

the process of arriving at a diagnosis

you use a lot of informal proves and we use formal testing to determine eligibility and severity levels

Question 14

What does providing a diagnosis require?

Answer 14

a real understanding of diagnoses

Question 15

What do we need to make sure to not do when providing a diagnosis?

Answer 15

we need to make sure to not just apply a label, client’s with their diagnoses are always a work in progress, therapy goals and diagnoses continually change

Question 16

What must we distinguish in a diagnosis?

Answer 16

we need to distinguish the nature of the diagnosis at different points in time

Question 17

A diagnosis requires a synthesis of the entire assessment, what are the various parts?

Answer 17

• norms (developmental norms)
• testing techniques
• observation
• patient/caregiver/client report
• ability to relate effectively/empathetically
• creative intuition
• scrutinize all aspects of behavior

Question 18

What must we always keep in mind when arriving at a diagnosis?

Answer 18

it is continuous, open-ended, dynamic–> it’s possible to change!

Question 19

SOAPBOX***

Before you present your assessment results, what must you make sure to find?

Answer 19

-When you present assessment results, you need to find some strengths about the client before you address the weaknesses

Question 20

What requires a synthesis of the entire assessment?

Answer 20

A diagnosis

Question 21

What does Speech pathology equal?

Answer 21

speech pathology = behavior science= dynamic

Question 22

True or false: Once you reach a diagnosis, it doesn’t change.

Answer 22

False

a diagnosis is continuous, we need to be open minded,the diagnosis should never be written in stone

**Evaluation & Diagnosis are always Ongoing

Question 23

What are the 2 major goals of evaluation?

Answer 23

1. to arrive at a diagnosis

2. to monitor client’s progress

Question 24

What are the 3 major purposes of diagnosis?

Answer 24

1. determine reality of the problem

• speech difference: Call attention to speaker?
• intelligibility: can we understand speaker?
• handicapping condition: $/social

2. determine etiology: guard against only 1 dimension
3. provide clinical focus

Question 25

What is a static assessment?

Answer 25

it’s a snapshot of the client’s abilities

Question 26

Why do you conduct a dynamic assessment?

Answer 26

• we want to know how does client perform when given instruction?
• observe the environment around the child as well as his abilities and his abilities to learn. there are different environments in which children learn and grow. Try to optimize learning potential through different modalities as well as in different environments

Question 27

What is the “Scientific” method to assessment?

Answer 27

• observe all available factors
• formulate hypothesis
• test
• reach conclusions

Question 28

What is the weakness in the conclusion of the “scientific method” of assessment?

Answer 28

-the conclusion is dependent on objective methods

Question 29

What is the fat folder syndrome?

Answer 29

• you don’t want this
• you go to the doctor and get all sorts of tests done that show very little. make sure the assessment plan is not so broad that your testing for everything without really getting anywhere

Question 30

What must you be able to go “beyond” when conducting an assessment?

Answer 30

-must be able to go “beyond the script”

Question 31

There is an art to reaching a diagnosis, what does it depend on?

Answer 31

• casual unstructured observations
• clinical experience

you use your intuition/hunch

Question 32

what is the weakness to “the art of diagnosing?”

Answer 32

your personal bias

Question 33

When entering a therapy room, what must you make sure to never do?

Answer 33

never bring your issues into the session. It’s really important that you leave your issues out of the therapy room when working with the individual. Don’t bring up your issues with the client or their families. make it about the client, not you!

Question 34

What is the best form of assessing?

Answer 34

-finding a proper mix of science and art

formal & informal

Question 35

if there is a great demand on the SLP what can happen with the results of a client?

Answer 35

the diagnosis may be skewed to either lighten or fill up the SLPs case load

Question 36

What are characteristics of a good diagnostician?

Answer 36

1. Be flexible (if client shows some new behavior, don’t ignore it)
2. healthy skepticism (critically evaluate new techniques, but don’t throw out old techniques)
3. possess personal characteristics critical for the job

Question 37

What are the personal characteristics that are critical for the job?

Answer 37

• sensitivity (note everything!)
• insight (what’s normal, what’s not)
• evaluative attitude (why did he respond)
• Persistent curiosity (observe behavior over time)
• objectivity (don’t diagnose b/c of your expectations)
• rapport
• focus: each client is most important
• leave personal problems in the trunk of your car

Question 38

From the 1st meeting with the client/client’s family, what is happening?

Answer 38

-they are forming opinions about you