I have heard that there are waiting lists.  How long does one have to wait before receiving a speech-language evaluation?
Waiting lists vary from site to site depending on the need in that area.  Please check with the clinic nearest you.

How long does an evaluation session take?
A full evaluation or assessment typically takes at least an hour and a half to complete.  If the assessment is a screening it will take less time.  At the end of the session, the clinician will discuss the results with the client, or with their parents if the client is a child.

What happens during a speech-language evaluation for a child?
From the child's point of view, it is usually a lot of fun - there are books to look at and toys to play with.  Most children look forward to therapy sessions.

The speech-language pathologist combines information obtained from interviews with the parents, observation, and formal testing.  Parents are asked questions regarding their child's developmental  and health history, behavioural issues, and family concerns regarding their child's speech and language.  Formal testing involves carefully assessing the various components of a child's speech and/or language.

The assessment usually also includes: 
• a hearing screening
• a general examination of the child's face, lips, tongue, teeth, etc. to observe if any stuctural problems may be contributing to the communication problem
• a basic assessment of voice quality, to note any problems of hoarseness, pitch or volume
• an observation of fluency (noting if there are disfluencies/stuttering behaviours)

What happens during a speech-language evaluation for an adult? 
It varies depending on the type of difficulty.  The speech-language pathologist will gather information about the client's problem by asking the questions, observing, and possibly by administering some formal testing.
The evaluation will concentrate on the client's primary problem.  Some examples of how an evaluation session may be focused on a specific area of concern follow:

Voice  - the evaluation may focus on the client's voice function and overall efficiency.
Stuttering - the assessment may focus on the client's previous interventions and disfluency history.
Stroke or head injury - the evaluation may concentrate on the client's comprehension of language, word finding,  expressive language, or facial and oral cavity muscles necessary for speech.   There are many formal tests used for people experiencing communicative difficulties as a result of stroke or head injury.
Neurodegenerative disorders - (e.g. MS, ALS, Parkinson's Disease) - the assessment may concentrate on assessing the client's current level of communicative ability, counselling and providing maintenance therapy when appropriate, or alternative ways to communicate when possible.

If therapy is recommended, how often are the sessions?  How long are the therapy sessions?
Therapy typically occurs on a weekly or biweekly basis. Other arrangements can sometimes be made in special circumstances with the speech-language pathologist. Therapy sessions usually last 45 minutes to an hour.  Information and home programming are often provided as well.

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