A speech and language therapy (SALT) assessment is a structured evaluation conducted by a qualified therapist to identify a child’s speech difficulties. 

The aim is to understand their specific challenges in areas such as speaking, listening, reading, and other forms of communicating, and the findings will provide the basis for a tailored therapy plan.

Parents can play an essential role in supporting children who require a SALT assessment throughout the process. So, if your child has an assessment coming up and you want to make sure it is as effective as possible, here are some key ways you can help.

1. Prepare For The Assessment

The first thing you can do is prepare for the assessment as best you can, as well as prepare your child for the upcoming session. To do this, you should: 

Gather Background Information

The more information you can collect and provide to the therapist, the better, as this can help to shape their assessment and therapy plan. Where possible, gather detailed information about your child’s developmental history, medical background, and any specific speech or language concerns you may have.

Observe And Document Behaviors

As part of gathering this information, it’s a good idea to keep notes on speech and language challenges your child faces at home. If you can include detailed and specific examples of difficulties in communication or comprehension, that’s even better. 

You could also bring with you any notes or reports from teachers, nurseries, family, or healthcare providers that can further support the assessment and diagnosis.

Discuss What’s Happening With Your Child

The final part of preparing for the assessment is explaining the purpose of the session to your child if that’s possible. If you’re worried your child won’t understand or will become confused and stressed by your explanation, it may be better to leave this out. 

But if appropriate, make sure to discuss the upcoming sessions with them in a way they can understand to reduce anxiety and encourage their cooperation.

2. Get Involved During The Session 

It’s vital that parents attend these sessions and are actively involved in the assessment. With that in mind, you should observe and understand the process yourself, as this will help you to support your child. 

This also gives you the chance to provide honest input when asked.  This might mean sharing insights into your child’s communication in various settings, such as home, school, or during social interactions, and this is where your note-taking comes in handy. 

You Can Be There To Encourage Cooperation 

Another important way to support your child during the assessment is to be there to make them feel more comfortable. You can encourage them to participate and reassure them that everything is OK. It’s often beneficial for them to have a calming and familiar presence in the room. 

3. Follow-Up After The Assessment

Supporting the assessment process doesn’t end after the assessment session has finished; you also need to follow up afterward to understand the results. You should continue to work with the therapist to interpret the findings and clarify any questions you (or they) may have. 

This also provides you with a chance to discuss the therapy goals and ensure they align with your child’s needs and daily life. 

4. Implement The Recommended Strategies At Home 

It’s crucial that you reinforce any exercises or techniques that have been recommended by the therapist as a direct result of the assessment, even if a full speech therapy plan hasn’t been put in place yet. 

Make sure to incorporate these strategies or activities into your child’s daily routine and to keep encouraging them to communicate. This will help to strengthen their progress right from the start. 

Foster A Supportive Environment

As part of implementing these strategies, you need to make sure that you practice patience and celebrate small milestones, as this will help build your child’s confidence.

You should create opportunities for them to communicate and express themselves, even if they face difficulties. Again, make sure to remain patient and not rush them or finish their sentences. 

Always be consistent, ensuring that you stick to the strategies and recommendations provided by the therapist after the assessment to encourage steady progress.

5. Communicate With Other Key People In Your Child’s Life 

Both before and after the SALT assessment process, it is important to communicate what is going on with other key people in your child’s life. This might include:

Teachers or Other Educators 

Before the assessment, you may work with your child’s teachers to uncover any specific challenges they face or areas that need the most work. 

Afterward, you need to give them feedback and share the assessment results and therapy goals to ensure consistent support in school as well as at home. They should be able to offer additional support where needed and can continue with the techniques or activities suggested by your child’s therapist. 

Involve Other Family Members 

You should help other close family members to understand the child’s needs and how they can support their communication development in the future. This is particularly important if any relatives regularly babysit or spend a lot of time with your child. 

Discuss the outcome of the assessment and what the therapist has said, providing them with information about the techniques or activities they need to use when spending time with your child. 

The Importance Of Supporting Your Child Through The SALT Assessment Process 

Supporting a child with a speech impediment or difficulty isn’t easy, and getting the help of a trained speech therapist is key. But it’s not just about helping them on the day of their assessment. They need your full support before, during, and after the session. 

By being engaged, proactive, and supportive throughout the assessment and therapy process, you can significantly contribute to your child’s progress and speech development. 

So, consider the key points we’ve outlined in this guide, and you can ensure that your child’s SALT assessment and subsequent speech therapy are as effective as they possibly can be.