Assessment Pathways
What is an assessment?
An assessment helps us build a detailed understanding of your child's speech, language and communication strengths and needs. At The Christopher Clinic, assessments are tailored to the individual child, combining carefully selected assessment tools with clinical observation and, where appropriate, play and natural interaction.
Which assessment will my child need?
Following your initial consultation, Dr Emma Christopher will recommend the most appropriate of our three assessment pathways. This will be based on your child's age, individual needs and the concerns discussed during your consultation.
Our pathways range from a play based assessment for younger children or those who are best able to demonstrate their communication through play, through to more comprehensive assessments exploring speech, language and communication and, where appropriate, related areas of learning and cognitive functioning.
What happens during the assessment?
Assessments take place in person at The Christopher Clinic in Bournemouth. The format and length of the assessment will depend on the pathway recommended and your child's individual needs.
We use a combination of formal assessment, clinical observation and natural interaction to gain a meaningful picture of your child's communication.
Access to our dedicated play and sensory spaces also allows us to adapt the assessment environment to help children feel comfortable, engaged and able to communicate naturally.
What is included in the assessment fee?
Your assessment fee includes the assessment session or sessions, scoring and interpretation of results, and a comprehensive written report detailing your child's strengths and areas of need, assessment findings, personalised recommendations and clear next steps.
Where appropriate, a brief consultation with your child's educational setting is also included to help us understand how they communicate within their everyday learning and social environment.
Following assessment, we will discuss the findings with you and answer any questions you may have. Where therapy is recommended, we will also identify appropriate therapy goals and provide recommendations for ongoing support.
What are the assessment pathways?
The Christopher Clinic offers three assessment pathways, allowing the depth and focus of assessment to be matched to your child's individual needs. The most appropriate pathway will be recommended following your initial consultation:
Play Based Communication Assessment
£295
A child centred assessment designed for younger children or those who are best able to demonstrate their communication skills through play and natural interaction.
Through carefully planned play based activities and clinical observation, we explore areas such as attention and shared attention, interaction, turn taking, understanding and use of language, social communication and functional communication. Speech sounds and other areas of communication can also be explored where appropriate to your child's individual needs.
Information from parents and carers, and where appropriate your child's educational setting, is considered alongside observations to build a meaningful picture of how your child communicates in everyday situations.
You will receive a comprehensive written report outlining your child's communication strengths and areas of need, personalised recommendations and clear next steps, including therapy recommendations where appropriate.
Comprehensive written report included.
Comprehensive Speech, Language & Communication Assessment
£495
A detailed assessment designed to build a comprehensive picture of your child's speech, language and communication profile. Depending on their individual needs, assessment may explore areas including understanding and use of language, vocabulary, sentence structure, narrative skills, speech sounds, word finding and social communication.
Carefully selected formal assessment measures are combined with clinical observation and information from families and educational settings, allowing us to understand both your child's areas of difficulty and their individual strengths.
You will receive a comprehensive written report bringing together assessment findings and results, with personalised recommendations for home and educational settings, clear next steps and, where appropriate, suggested therapy goals.
Comprehensive written report included.
Comprehensive Communication & Learning Profile
£895
Our most in depth assessment pathway, designed for children where a broader understanding of their communication and learning profile may be helpful. Alongside a comprehensive assessment of speech, language and communication, this pathway can explore relevant areas such as working memory, attention, executive functioning and literacy.
Where appropriate, a dyslexia screening can also be included to explore indicators of possible dyslexic difficulties and whether further specialist assessment or support may be recommended.
A comprehensive written report brings together assessment findings to provide a detailed picture of your child's strengths and areas of need, with personalised recommendations for home and educational settings and clear next steps.
Comprehensive written report included.
How do I pay for an assessment?
Assessment fees are payable in full at the time of booking. Once a date and time have been agreed during your initial consultation, Dr Christopher will send you a secure payment link to reserve your assessment appointment. Your booking will be confirmed once payment has been received.
Flexible payment options are available, subject to eligibility.
What happens next?
Once the assessment process is complete, we will talk you through the findings and recommendations so that you have a clear understanding of your child's communication profile and what they may need moving forward.
Where ongoing support is recommended, we can discuss an individual therapy programme and agree the most appropriate next steps for your child.
