Referral for Speech and Language Evaluation
Students with suspected speech and/or language impairments are evaluated using a comprehensive battery that is conducted by a professional that is licensed and/or certified as a speech-language pathologist. Professionals may maintain the Texas state license in speech-language pathology or may hold the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Speech and Hearing Therapy certificate as previously granted by the TEA. Many speech-language pathologists also hold the American Speech, Hearing, and Language Associations Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech and Language Pathology. A Licensed Assistant in Speech and Language therapy may administer routine tests as per state licensing board requirements.
Prior to referral, students experiencing language difficulties in the general education classroom should be considered for the support services available to all students, such as tutorials, remedial services, and/or other support services. If the student continues to experience difficulty in the general education classroom after the provision of interventions, the campus should refer the student for a full and individual initial evaluation. The student’s native language, along with students who speak multiple languages, as well as language dominance, and language impact will be considered prior to evaluation and as part of the individual evaluation.
School age students are referred through the campus referral process and students who are not enrolled in school are referred through the child find process.
Parents can request a referral through the parent inquiry link.