Speech-Language Pathology Assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how the inclusion of a speech-language pathology assessment influenced the accurate and timely diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for children historically difficult to diagnose. A retrospective chart review and a descriptive cohort study were completed. Participants were 4;0–6;11 years, with average cognition and suspected ASD. The records of 20 children were reviewed retrospectively. The prospective descriptive cohort included 15 participants for whom language and social communication assessments were completed and degree of agreement with formal ASD diagnosis explored. Only half of the children reviewed retrospectively received a speech-language assessment prior to an ASD diagnostic assessment. Prospectively, all 15 participants were assigned to a diagnostic category - suspected ASD, within normal limits, or behaviour difficulty - following medical evaluation and SLP assessment. There was 100% agreement between the diagnostic category assigned and the eventual formal diagnosis following a comprehensive assessment process. This suggests that a SLP assessment is a vital component of the ASD diagnostic process and could assist in reaching an accurate diagnosis at an earlier stage.

Keywords:

• Assessment
• Autism
• Child
• Diagnosis
• Language
• Social Communication

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kate Broome

Kate Broome is a senior speech pathologist in the Tumbatin Clinic at the Sydney Children's Hospital and a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney.

Vanessa Sarkozy

Dr Vanessa Sarkozy is head of department of the Tumbatin Clinic at the Sydney Children's Hospital.