Assessment data collection

Question 1

Define assessment in speech pathology

Answer 1

-Determine if communication or swallowing behaviours are disordered (Does the person really have a problem?)
-Determine the nature and extent of the problem including a description of:describe the individual’s
-Search for causal factors and correlates of the disordered behaviour (explanatory & exasperating factors - Lowe, 1994):
utilise all relevant information to develop a set of recommendations for effective and efficient management
structural
psychological
environmental
neurological
-Determine the prognosis:

with intervention
without intervention

Question 2

Explain why assessment is an important part of speech pathology practice

Answer 2

It provides the basis for diagnosis and any further assessments that need to take place and give important information on types of intervention that need to be taken into consideration.

Question 3

Identify core components and considerations in speech pathology assessment

Answer 3

we must sometimes be flexible with how we go about gathering our assessment data due to the clients health state. This is called contingency planning.
fatigue
time of the day assessment will take place
how many people are in the assessment
where the assessment is to be held
what materials will utilised
formal versus informal assessment (standardised versus non-standardised)
cultural appropriateness
the individual’s level of comprehension (understanding) or cognition

Question 4

explain the process of collecting and documenting case history information

Answer 4

This can be done in a number of ways. either a form that needs to be filled out by the client or in the form of an interview. it needs to be completed with all clients.
There are 3 areas where information needs to be collected and organised:
-if relevant information for why client was referred
-Personal &Environmental (eg home life, family members, pets)
-Body function& structures (eg health, birth, family history)
-Activities & participation (eg personal interests of client, school/work,

Question 5

describe the importance of collecting authentic speech/language samples

Answer 5

It is a way to gather data on the clients presenting condition
Language samples provide useful information about a clients communication because it’s an immediate snapshot of:

Utterance length
Complexity
Articulation abilities
Narrative skills
Perspective-taking
Comprehension
Imitation
Direction-following abilities

Question 6

What are the different types of reports?

Answer 6

ypes of Report

Description

1.Assessment/Diagnostic reports
Concerns/presenting problem, results of assessment, professional’s diagnosis, recommendations (including options for management and/or requests for further information)

2.Interim/Progress reports
Record intervention and progress to date, issues/concerns with intervention, future action

3.Clinical/progress notes
Content and outcomes of intervention sessions

4.Discharge reports
Content and outcome of intervention program, reasons for discharge, recommendations

5.Referrals
Request assessment, recommendations or second opinion

6.Medico-Legal reports
Independent assessment of person’s capacity, or professional judgement of another professional’s work

Question 7

When conducting an assessment, we are looking for information that fits into what 3 main categories?

Answer 7

• Presenting condition
• Impact of difficulties on daily life
• Barriers/facilitators for intervention (considerations for management)

Question 8

Some of the most common modalities used in motor speech assessment are:

Answer 8

• Interviewing
• Observation (direct or indirect, formal or informal)
• Speech sampling/conversational sampling
• Standardised assessment tools
• Non-stanardised assessment tools