SLP for expressive language evaluation

[Anonymous]

DC has some trouble with word retrieval and verbal fluency but is very bright. There are no articulation or similar issues. It is unclear what's related to anxiety or being a somewhat shy kid in a new school versus what's related to some potential underlying speech issue. The private school she attends is recommending that we get an evaluation and recommended one large practice, but I'd like to cast a wider net.

Does anyone have a kid like this? Can you recommend someone to do this kind of evaluation? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It depends on where you live. We go to national speech and like them. They take insurance. We had a bad experience at children's.

[Anonymous]

My preschooler had similar issues. I took him UMD Speech and Language for an eval. I was pleased with it. At then end of the eval they did a brief review and basically old me he didn't have any expressive or receptive issues. It didn't tell me what was wrong, but it did eliminate one area (speech and language).

We got in fairly quick and it wasn't expensive. Maybe $200-$300 for a 3 hr eval. Had they told me there was an issue, I probably would have gone to the Lab School for more in depth testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My preschooler had similar issues. I took him UMD Speech and Language for an eval. I was pleased with it. At then end of the eval they did a brief review and basically old me he didn't have any expressive or receptive issues. It didn't tell me what was wrong, but it did eliminate one area (speech and language).

We got in fairly quick and it wasn't expensive. Maybe $200-$300 for a 3 hr eval. Had they told me there was an issue, I probably would have gone to the Lab School for more in depth testing.

They only specialize in speech and speech pathologists can only diagnose speech. Md is good, but it depends on the student. we have done them too but they do not take insurance.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PPs. I guess we need to find someone who is particularly good with diagnosing word retrieval and verbal fluency issues. Either Maryland or DC would be fine.

[Anonymous]

OP,

It might be just a word retrieval issue, but I would seek out a developmental pediatrician for a full evaluation in addition to getting a ST. Childrens or KKI would be appropriate although there would probably be a wait list. If your kid is 6 or older than I would consider a neuropsych evaluation. Sometimes these issues are stand alone issues and sometimes they're connected with other LDs, that's why I'd recommend trying to get a full picture.

What's your location? You can find an SLP through your insurance or use ASHA's search engine:
http://www.asha.org/findpro/

Just so you know many ST don't accept insurance, so you may have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed later. It all depends on your insurance.

[Anonymous]

I would start with a speech eval. Dev peds are not specialists in speech and language and often misdiagnose. Children's speech clinic ignored our concerns. If you do not have insurance, maryland is a good suggestion but you may have to wait a few months as fall semester is ending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would start with a speech eval. Dev peds are not specialists in speech and language and often misdiagnose. Children's speech clinic ignored our concerns. If you do not have insurance, maryland is a good suggestion but you may have to wait a few months as fall semester is ending.

Developmental pediatricians are extremely qualified to diagnose speech delays. It's unfortunate that you had a bad experience but don't create a sweeping and untrue generalization based on your sole experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with a speech eval. Dev peds are not specialists in speech and language and often misdiagnose. Children's speech clinic ignored our concerns. If you do not have insurance, maryland is a good suggestion but you may have to wait a few months as fall semester is ending.

Developmental pediatricians are extremely qualified to diagnose speech delays. It's unfortunate that you had a bad experience but don't create a sweeping and untrue generalization based on your sole experience.

They are generalists for special needs. They will confirm there is an issue and send you to an speech pathologist. A speech pathologist can diagnose and treat. A developmental ped is good for referrals only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with a speech eval. Dev peds are not specialists in speech and language and often misdiagnose. Children's speech clinic ignored our concerns. If you do not have insurance, maryland is a good suggestion but you may have to wait a few months as fall semester is ending.

Developmental pediatricians are extremely qualified to diagnose speech delays. It's unfortunate that you had a bad experience but don't create a sweeping and untrue generalization based on your sole experience.

They are generalists for special needs. They will confirm there is an issue and send you to an speech pathologist. A speech pathologist can diagnose and treat. A developmental ped is good for referrals only.

I'm not sure which developmental pediatrician you saw, however, the one we saw was able to diagnose both expressive and receptive delays and to what degree/percentage among other things that weren't directly related to speech. They are much more than just for referrals although we did learn that we needed to see an OT in addition to the ST once we had our evaluation.

Again sorry you had a negative experience but no need to project your issues and post incorrect information.

[Anonymous]

OP,

Just so you know this is what a developmental pediatrician does according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/Pages/What-is-a-Developmental-Behavioral-Pediatrician.aspx

Some specialize in areas like feeding disorders, spina bifida, CP, and also communication disorders, which may be where your DC's difficulties lie:
http://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/diagnoses-disorders/communication-speech-language-disorders

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with a speech eval. Dev peds are not specialists in speech and language and often misdiagnose. Children's speech clinic ignored our concerns. If you do not have insurance, maryland is a good suggestion but you may have to wait a few months as fall semester is ending.

Developmental pediatricians are extremely qualified to diagnose speech delays. It's unfortunate that you had a bad experience but don't create a sweeping and untrue generalization based on your sole experience.

They are generalists for special needs. They will confirm there is an issue and send you to an speech pathologist. A speech pathologist can diagnose and treat. A developmental ped is good for referrals only.

I'm not sure which developmental pediatrician you saw, however, the one we saw was able to diagnose both expressive and receptive delays and to what degree/percentage among other things that weren't directly related to speech. They are much more than just for referrals although we did learn that we needed to see an OT in addition to the ST once we had our evaluation.

Again sorry you had a negative experience but no need to project your issues and post incorrect information.[/quote

How can a developmental pediatrician give a speech language diagnosis without giving formal speech language evaluations? You need to have formal testing to get a diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Again PP/19:35, I don't know which developmental pediatrician you saw, but our DP did many of the same tests that an SLP would do for an evaluation. Just like a psychologist doing a neuropsych evaluation will do some of the same tests an SLP would do. Sometimes these things overlap and you can definitely get a formal diagnosis. It's just that a developmental pediatrician is trained and qualified to test for things that an SLP isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again PP/19:35, I don't know which developmental pediatrician you saw, but our DP did many of the same tests that an SLP would do for an evaluation. Just like a psychologist doing a neuropsych evaluation will do some of the same tests an SLP would do. Sometimes these things overlap and you can definitely get a formal diagnosis. It's just that a developmental pediatrician is trained and qualified to test for things that an SLP isn't.

Sure a developmental pediatrician can give a general diagnosis of a speech delay but don't use the same tests for the issue that the OP is looking for. OP can easily get a diagnosis but it won't get to the root of the actual issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again PP/19:35, I don't know which developmental pediatrician you saw, but our DP did many of the same tests that an SLP would do for an evaluation. Just like a psychologist doing a neuropsych evaluation will do some of the same tests an SLP would do. Sometimes these things overlap and you can definitely get a formal diagnosis. It's just that a developmental pediatrician is trained and qualified to test for things that an SLP isn't.

You are projecting. Op is asking about speech, not a global evaluation. She is looking for someone out of concerns for specific issues. Why make more into it than it is? If you have speech issues, you go to a speech pathologist.