A clear picture, before anything else.
Most families come to us with a question, not a diagnosis. A thorough assessment gives you a clear, honest answer — and a plan, if one's needed.
Why start with an assessment
It's tempting to jump straight into therapy, but a proper assessment means your child's plan is built on an accurate picture rather than a guess. It also protects you from paying for sessions that aren't targeting the right thing , if your child's speech is on track and the concern is really about language, we'll say so.
What we look at
- Understanding of language , vocabulary, instructions, concepts
- Expressive language , vocabulary, sentence structure, storytelling
- Speech sound production and intelligibility
- Fluency
- Social communication , turn taking, eye contact, conversational skills, play
- Where relevant, use of AAC or emerging communication in non speaking children
What happens next
Every assessment ends with a plain English conversation about what we found , never jargon dropped in a report you have to decode alone. If therapy is recommended, we'll explain exactly what it would involve and how often. If it isn't, we'll tell you that too.
Assessment types
Child Speech Assessment
Focused on speech sound production and intelligibility.
Autism Communication Assessment
A specialist look at social communication and interaction.
AAC-Informed Therapy
Supporting children who use or are being considered for AAC as part of therapy.
Questions parents ask
How long does a speech and language assessment take?+
Most initial assessments take 60–90 minutes with your child, followed by a written report. Complex cases — for example, a full autism communication assessment — may need two sessions.
What happens during the assessment itself?+
We use a mix of structured tasks, standardised tests where appropriate, and informal play-based observation. The exact tools depend on your child's age and the concern — a two-year-old's assessment looks very different to a nine-year-old's.
Will I get a written report?+
Yes. You'll receive a clear, jargon-free written report with findings and recommendations — useful for your own understanding, for school, or to support applications for HSE or other services.
Do you diagnose autism or ADHD?+
A speech and language assessment can identify communication differences consistent with autism and contribute to a wider diagnostic picture, but a formal autism diagnosis is made by a multidisciplinary team. We're happy to explain what our assessment can and can't tell you, and refer on where needed.