Initial Video Consultation

The initial video consultation is an important first step in understanding your child’s needs and making sure that any assessment or support we recommend is appropriate for your family.

This 30–45 minute consultation gives us time to:

• Hear about your concerns and what you would like support with.

• Understand your child’s communication and developmental history.

• Discuss any relevant reports, previous assessments or therapies.

• Talk about what you would like to achieve from an assessment and any support that may follow.

• Consider whether an assessment is the right next step for your child.

• Explain how the assessment and therapy service works, including the therapy agreement and GDPR information.

• Answer any questions you may have and agree the next steps.

Taking this time at the beginning means that we can understand the bigger picture before meeting your child and make sure the assessment is focused on the areas that matter most to you and your child.

We recommend that both parents/carers attend where possible, as this helps us build a fuller picture and ensures everyone has an opportunity to be involved in planning the next steps.

Your child will come to our clinic in Sligo for their assessment. We’ll take time to help them settle in and feel comfortable before we begin.

The assessment will be tailored to your child and their individual communication needs. Depending on their age and the areas we are exploring, it may include play, conversation, books, pictures, games and structured activities. Formal or standardised assessment tools may also be used where appropriate.

If you’re unsure what type of assessment your child might need, that’s okay. During the initial consultation, we’ll talk through your concerns, your child’s development and communication needs, and decide what assessment would be most helpful.

Speech Assessment

A speech assessment looks at how your child produces speech sounds and how clearly they are understood.

The assessment usually takes around 45–60 minutes, although this can vary depending on your child and how they are feeling on the day.

Language & Communication Assessment

A language and communication assessment looks at how your child understands and uses language and communicates with others.

This assessment generally takes longer than a speech assessment, but the length can vary depending on your child, their age, attention and the areas we need to explore.

For some younger children, it may be more appropriate to break the assessment into two shorter sessions. We will always work at a pace that allows us to get the information we need while keeping your child comfortable and engaged.

Additional Assessment Options

Depending on your child’s needs, we may also recommend or discuss additional assessment or support, such as visiting your child in their preschool or school.

The initial consultation helps us work out what approach will be most useful for your child and your family.

After the Assessment

Following the assessment, we will talk through what we have found in a clear, supportive and easy-to-understand way. This may happen at the end of the assessment or, where more time is needed to review the information, at a follow-up appointment.

You will learn:

• Your child’s strengths and what they are doing well.

• The areas where they may benefit from additional support.

• What the assessment findings mean for your child’s communication.

• Practical strategies and ideas you can use to support communication and speech at home.

• What we recommend as the next steps for your child.

• Whether targeted therapy would be beneficial and, if so, how the maximum of four therapy sessions could be used to support you and your child.

• There will be time to ask questions and discuss anything you are unsure about.

You will receive a written summary of the assessment and recommendations following the assessment.

With your consent, we can also liaise with or make referrals to other relevant services where appropriate, such as Audiology, Psychology or HSE services.

Full Reports

A more detailed full written report can be provided on request for an additional fee. This may be useful where a formal report is required for onward referral, school support or an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

If therapy is recommended following your child’s assessment, we may offer up to a maximum of four therapy sessions tailored to your child’s needs.

These sessions provide an opportunity to advise, model and demonstrate strategies, and to work together on how best to support your child’s communication. There will be plenty of time to practise strategies together, ask questions and build your confidence in using them independently.

The aim is to give you practical tools and strategies that you can continue to use and build on at home beyond the therapy sessions.

• Sessions are typically 45 minutes for speech and 60 minutes for language work, allowing time to support your child alongside parent/carer coaching.

• Parent/carer involvement is encouraged throughout.

• Strategies and activities are discussed, demonstrated and practised together.

• Guidance is provided to help you confidently embed strategies into everyday routines at home.

• Therapy is fun, engaging and child-centred.