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Dynamic Assessment in Speech Therapy: Approaches and Techniques
In a recent lunch and learn between Melissa Farkouh and Ingrid Owens-Gonzalez, a speech therapist, they explore dynamic assessment and its importance in the field of speech therapy. They define communication and its role in our lives, while highlighting the benefits of dynamic assessment compared to static assessment.
Understanding Dynamic Assessment
Definition and Importance
Dynamic assessment focuses on performance and development, as opposed to static assessment, which only offers a snapshot of skills at a given moment. Melissa shares how dynamic assessment has helped her work with bilingual and neurodivergent populations.
Practical Implementation
To implement dynamic assessment, you can start by using familiar tests and employing scaffolding techniques to gather additional information on the child’s skills and abilities.
Challenges in Linguistic Assessment of Multilingual Children
Psychosocial Considerations
It’s essential to take into account the child’s psychosocial factors and context when evaluating their linguistic abilities.
Differences Between Educational and Clinical Settings
Melissa and Ingrid discuss the differences between the Canadian and American healthcare systems regarding speech therapy services, including the support systems and approaches available in each setting.
Individualized Assessment Strategies
The Importance of Cultural Humility and Open-Ended Questions
When working with diverse populations, it’s crucial to adopt a culturally humble approach and ask open-ended questions to better understand your clients’ unique perspectives and experiences.
Use of AI Technology
Melissa explains how artificial intelligence technology, such as language sampling, contrastive analysis, and report writing, can help improve the efficiency of assessment and intervention. However, the use of AI should be approached with caution and viewed as a complement to clinical judgment.
Available Resources
Here are some resources mentioned during the interview:
- Bold SLP Podcast: Mentioned by Ingrid Owens-Gonzalez, this podcast is hosted by Ingrid and two other speech therapists.
- SLP Nerdcast: Modules and resources on dynamic assessment.
- Dr. Elizabeth Peña, Ph.D.: Modules and resources on dynamic assessment.
- Linda K. Murphy’s Declarative Language Handbook: Mentioned by Melissa Farkouh for working with neurodivergent children using a declarative language style.
- The Main’s Multilingual Assessment: A dynamic narrative assessment tool.
Conclusion and Invitation to Further Learning
Dynamic assessment in speech therapy allows for gathering more information and adapting interventions to the individual needs of clients. By following the strategies discussed by Ingrid Owens-Gonzalez, you can deliver more comprehensive assessments and more effective interventions.
Join My Dynamic Assessment Training
Would you like to learn more about dynamic assessment in speech therapy? Sign up now to join my new training course dedicated to this innovative approach. Together, we’ll explore these techniques and how they can transform your speech therapy practice.