Screenings

Preschool

Our center provides speech and hearing screenings to numerous preschools in the area. The screening process involves gathering together a small group of children for an informal assessment of their speech and language skills. The therapist engages the children in conversation and asks particular questions in order to judge their communication abilities. Observations are made of each child’s speech sound development, expressive language and grammar, social communication abilities, and comprehension skills. Each child’s capabilities are compared with developmental norms (http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationdevelopment.htm), and the therapist’s determination of the child’s skills is noted on a form that is provided for the family. One of the following levels will be checked:

1. Speech/language is within normal limits. If this is checked, no concern was noted and no additional steps need to be taken.

2. Due to some sound errors and/or language errors in your child’s speech, a re-screen of your child’s speech is recommended in approximately six months to determine if further evaluation should be completed. If this section is checked, the therapist’s concerns will be listed, and you are welcome to bring your child into our center for a free re-check of your child’s skills in six months. Typically, the therapist will recommend a re-check if the child possesses some mild errors which may resolve themselves with maturity.

3. A speech/language evaluation is recommended. If the therapist recommends an evaluation, the particular concerns will be noted, and you will be provided with a listing of clinics in the area (including our own) that can conduct an evaluation. A recommendation for an evaluation is usually made if the therapist determines that the child may require therapy to overcome some communication difficulties and catch up with their peers. Such an evaluation will provide you with specific information regarding your child’s strengths and weaknesses and pinpoints the areas that need to be addressed in therapy.

In addition, a middle-ear screening is also provided to the children. For this part of the screening, a tympanometer is used to measure pressure in each middle ear. This test involves placement of a small plug on the outside of the child’s ear and introducing air pressure into the ear canal. The screening is quick and allows the therapist to determine the status of your child’s middle-ear system. One of the following selections will be made for each ear:

1. Middle-ear pressure within normal limits. If this is selected, no additional actions need to be taken.

2. Your child has shown negative pressure in the ear. If this is selected, it may indicate that your child possesses a blocked Eustachian tube (an opening that goes from the middle-ear to the throat), which could lead to fluid build up in the middle ear. In this case, it will be recommended that you set up an appointment at our center in four weeks in order to re-check this free of charge. Sometimes the problem is a temporary one, caused by a cold or allergy.

3. Your child’s results indicate possible fluid in the ear. If the results show a “fluid pattern”, we recommend that your child be seen by a physician.

This screening does not test hearing acuity, but you may let us know ahead of time if you have concerns regarding your child’s hearing ability. We would be happy to make arrangements to check that if needed.

If you have particular questions following the screening, feel free to contact our office.
 

The University of Akron College of Education

We provide speech and hearing screenings for students of the University of Akron College of Education. The screening involves an informal assessment of your speech, voice, fluency, and language skills, along with a screening of your hearing abilities. You will receive the results of the screening to bring to the university.