Speech, Language & Communication Assessment for Children
Language is how we understand and use information to communicate our needs, wants, feelings, thoughts, and ideas.
What is Language?
Language refers to:
Knowing and choosing the right words to explain what you mean
Joining words together into short phrases, sentences, stories and conversations
Making sense of what people say e.g., understanding questions and instructions.
Communication refers to:
Using language or gestures in different ways, for example, to have a conversation or to give someone directions
Being able to consider other people’s points of view.
Using and understanding body language and facial expressions, such as:
Knowing when someone is bored.
Being able to listen to and look at people when having a conversation.
Knowing how to take turns and to listen as well as talk.
Knowing how close to stand next to someone.
Language and Communication Indicators
Difficulty in communicating with others
Difficulties saying what they want to
Difficulty understanding verbal instructions, questions, and concepts
Difficulties understanding and using social rules
Difficulties processing language
Becoming mute in selective situations
Difficulty keeping attention
What is speech?
Speech is how we produce sounds using our tongue, lips, palate, and respiratory system.
Speech refers to:
Speaking without hesitating too much or without repeating or elongating words or sounds
Being able to produce sounds like ‘s’ and ‘z’ clearly and blend phonemes together to make words so people can understand what you say
Speech Indicators
You may notice the following difficulties in your or your child's speech:
Difficulty with producing speech sounds
Being misunderstood by others
Parents or caregivers may have to translate for you
Withdrawing from communicating with others
Repeating speech sounds (such as, da, da, da, before saying ‘daddy’)
What to expect in a Speech, Language and Communication Assessment
-
The informant (someone who knows the child well in the home context) will complete a case history of your child’s presenting difficulties, past medical history, developmental history, and family history.
-
A questionnaire will be completed by a staff member who has ideally known your child for at least 6-12 months. This information is used to determine your child’s presentation in their learning environment. On some occasions, a classroom/playground observation may be required.
-
Before the appointment, try giving your child an instruction and notice how they respond to this.
Notice how your child communicates? Do they point, use gestures, and make appropriate facial expressions?
The assessment may take place in our clinic, in school or online.
On the day of the assessment, the speech and language therapist will meet with your child and conduct an informal clinical observation and a range of formal language assessments, focusing on one or more of the following:
Articulation
Attention and listening
Grammar
Narrative skills
Oro-motor development
Phonological Processing
Processing and working memory
Pragmatic skills
Sentence structures
Selective Mutism
Stammer/ dysfluency
Understanding concepts and instructions
Vocabulary
Voice quality e.g., loudness, pitch, and quality of voice
Most assessment materials are visually supplemented. There is no expectation for your child to read, write or spell. The total time of the assessment can vary (between 30-90 minutes) depending on your child’s engagement, the assessment itself and age.
We aim to complete the assessment with your child within 2 weeks of the appointment booking.
-
You will be provided feedback within 7 days of the assessment unless further information is required.
Once the assessment and findings have been discussed, a report will be written and sent to you within three weeks. Our reports are comprehensive and include details of the assessment, the information provided by you and the school, a diagnosis if relevant, our understanding of your child’s difficulties, our recommendations for your child and lastly resources for you to explore.
We recommend that you share our report with your GP along with any other healthcare professional who is supporting your child (e.g. GP, Paediatrician, etc). Our report can also be shared with your child’s school and used towards an EHCP – Education Health Care Plan.
-
The fees are an accurate guide, but can vary depending on the service required. Please contact us for an individualised quotation.
*When applicable, we can provide means-tested discounts. If you're experiencing financial difficulties, please inform us, and we'll assess whether we can assist in covering part of the service expenses.
-
We accept payments via BACS Transfer.
-
We accept credit and debit card payments via Stripe for your convenience.
Please note that card payments are subject to a 2.99% processing fee, which will be added to the invoice total to cover transaction costs.
All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a trusted global payment provider.
-
For assessment services, we offer the option to pay in two instalments. The total fee can be split into two payments of 50%:
50% is payable at the time of booking to secure your assessment appointment.
The remaining 50% is due upon completion of the assessment, prior to the release of the final report.
There is no additional fee if paying via BACS.
Please note that any applicable card or Buy Now, Pay Later processing fees will be added if these payment methods are used.
-
If your assessment or therapy expenses are set to be covered by your private medical insurance, kindly provide us with your insurer details for seamless payment coordination between you and your insurance provider. Our affiliation encompasses registration with Aviva, AXA, BUPA and Vitality Health, facilitating a streamlined process for your convenience.
-
We are pleased to offer flexible payment options to make accessing our services easier. Clients can choose to pay via Klarna or PayPal “Buy Now, Pay Later”, subject to approval by the payment provider.
Please note that payments made using Klarna or PayPal Pay Later will incur an additional 4.99% processing fee, which will be added to the invoice total to cover transaction costs.
Availability of these payment options is subject to eligibility and approval by Klarna or PayPal, and we are unable to influence or guarantee approval decisions.
Our Payment Options
Reviews
-
![Five teal stars arranged linearly on a black background.]()
"Lycali provided a thorough and compassionate autism assessment. Everything was explained clearly, and I finally feel understood. I wish I’d done this sooner."
-
![Five teal five-pointed stars aligned horizontally on a white background.]()
"I’ve worked with other services before, but Lycali stands out for their professionalism and empathy. My therapist helped me navigate some really difficult times with sensitivity and skill."
-
![Five blue stars in a row indicating a five-star rating.]()
I just wanted to say thank you to Dr Isobel Robb and Stephanie for making the assessment comfortable for both me and my parents to conduct. It was very thorough and the outcome will definitely help me in my future. I'm really thankful for receiving the results so quickly
-
![Five teal five-pointed stars aligned horizontally on a white background.]()
“Thank you so much for all your help, support and care. You have explained everything we needed and thank you for saying I can get in touch if we need any more help.”
-
![Five teal five-pointed stars arranged in a horizontal row.]()
“You were very patient with our son and always gave us ideas so that we could support him between therapy sessions. Thank you so much!”
-
![Five blue stars aligned in a row.]()
“After our daughter's Speech and language assessment, you offered great feedback and your report was very detailed. This was a huge help towards the EHCP process.”
-
![Five blue stars arranged in a row with black text underneath that reads "Rating 4.5".]()
"My daughter’s speech has improved so much in just a few months. Our speech therapist at Lycali was kind, engaging, and always kept us involved with providing follow up activities. I highly recommend them."
-
![Five blue stars in a row.]()
“Heidi was very engaging and really listened to the needs of my son. She explained her methods and gave us tips to try at home. We are really pleased with the service.”
-
![]()
“The calls have helped me to find more space and given me a safe space to discuss and release emotions. Tim's nature and communication is comforting and supportive, he adds thoughts and questions which offer space to analyse and to help growth.”
-
![]()
"Heidi was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She gave our son room to explore and enjoyable targets".
-
![Five blue five-pointed stars aligned horizontally.]()
"Heidi was very patient with my child and has made him confident to use his voice"
-
![Five blue stars arranged in a horizontal line.]()
"I can’t thank you enough for your help and support with my son. I will most certainly be coming back to your services again for an autism assessment".
-
![Five teal five-pointed stars in a row on a black background.]()
"The ADHD assessment process was seamless, evidence-based, and respectful. I felt listened to throughout, and the diagnosis has helped me finally understand myself."
-
![Five blue stars aligned in a row.]()
Everything has been amazing so thanks to you, Isobel and Stephanie. You have made things really easy with clear and quick communication and they really created a safe environment instantly.
-
![]()
Thank you so much. It was a pleasure working with your staff. They were really kind and helpful and made the process easier for both me and Matilda.
-
![Five turquoise stars arranged in a horizontal row on a transparent background.]()
"We had a brilliant experience with Lycali. The assessment process was clear, kind, and professional from start to finish. My son felt at ease, and we finally have a clear plan for supporting his needs."
-
![Five blue stars aligned in a row.]()
"I was nervous about starting therapy, but the team at Lycali made me feel heard and respected from day one. Their care was outstanding, and the progress I’ve made is life-changing."
Leave us a review on Google: Leave a review
Lycali offers a professional and friendly service where time and attention can be taken to ensure the service received is of the highest standard and there is minimal waiting time. Our specialist team will always take the time to provide expert advice so you are aware of all the pre-and post-diagnostic and therapy services available. Our clinics are suitable for children and adults, and based in Thanet. We provide online or in-person therapy sessions.
About Lycali
![20230508_104943[38499].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63c664ab1b441a413e31574a/e3254fbf-2cd3-453e-9b86-c20c486fd21f/20230508_104943%5B38499%5D.jpg)
Because Every Individual Deserves to Be Understood