Pediatric Speech-Swallowing and Voice

Preparing for Your Child’s Evaluation

• Please complete the Speech-Language Developmental History Packet.
• Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to check-in and complete any paperwork.
• It is preferable that siblings not accompany your child to the appointment so that we can obtain your child’s full attention.
• Please bring any relevant information or documentation with you including: hearing tests, previous speech-language evaluations, educational testing, neuropsychological testing, developmental evaluations, and current or previous individualized family service plans (IFSP) or individualized education plans (IEP).
• Your child may also bring a favorite toy to the evaluation, as long as it will not be distracting from the evaluation.
• If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment for any reason please call 443-849-2087 as soon as possible.
• Your child’s speech and language may be assessed using formal tests, observation, parent interview and play as appropriate for your child.
• Please allow 90 minutes for the evaluation to be completed.
• At the end of the evaluation we will provide information about your child’s speech-language abilities and develop with you a personalized plan to address your child’s speech-language needs. This may include appropriate medical, educational, and therapy recommendations, ideas for home practice, and answer any questions you may have. A written report will be mailed to you and your child’s doctor following the evaluation.

What happens during a feeding and swallowing evaluation? 

Prior to the evaluation 

Parents complete a questionnaire regarding their concerns and the child's medical, developmental, and educational history. We will request medical information from your child's pediatrician, and may also request information from other medical or educational professionals who have evaluated your child. You may be asked to keep a food diary for several days and bring this on the day of the evaluation. 

During the evaluation 

Your child's medical, developmental, and feeding history is carefully reviewed. Parents are interviewed regarding their concerns and the child's history. This information helps the speech-language pathologist identify areas to evaluate more closely. Your child will be provided with an age-appropriate snack (you may be asked to bring in favorite foods and feeding utensils from home). The speech-language pathologist will assess your child's oral structures and movements, sensory responses to food and touch, posture and positioning, oral movements during eating and drinking, swallowing, and behavioral responses. Parents are encouraged to observe during the evaluation. 

Following the evaluation 

Initial results of the evaluation and recommendations are reviewed with you and the full evaluation report will be available on MyChart once signed. The report will include a detailed analysis of your child's feeding/ swallowing behaviors. If your child has indications of a feeding/ swallowing disorder, an individualized plan of care will be developed with you, your child, and the physician. The plan may include recommendations for special instrumental diagnostic tests to further evaluate your child's feeding/ swallowing. Treatment varies greatly depending on the causes and symptoms of the feeding-swallowing problem. 

Specialized Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment Modalities 

State-of the art diagnostic and treatment modalities are available to provide the most effective assessment and treatment to meet your child's speech-language needs. The following are available at our center: Palatography, Computerized Speech Lab, Nasometry, Ultrasound, Endoscopy, and Videofluroscopy.