Session 2: Strengths-Based Strategies for Speech Therapy Assessment

This session provides practical tools for conducting speech and language assessments through a strengths-based, child-led lens. Participants will learn how to highlight abilities alongside challenges, gather meaningful input from key partners, and write reports that reflect the child’s unique profile and potential.

Explore Course

In this 30-minute session, participants will learn how to embed a strengths-based, child-led approach into speech and language assessment practices. We will explore how to balance standardized testing with authentic, functional measures that highlight the child’s existing abilities and interests. Strategies for gathering meaningful input from families, teachers, and the child will be discussed, along with techniques for reframing assessment reports to reflect strengths alongside needs.

Presenters

Erin Elizabeth Milewski
MS CCC-SLP
Erin Milewski has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for the last 9 years. She earned both her Bachelor's in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Marywood University. She also earned my Trauma-Informed Practice Certificate from Elizabethtown College in May 2023. She currently works as an SLP in a public school in Pennsylvania, and as a subcontractor for Lingua Speech, Swallow, and Voice Services.

Learning Objectives

Describe methods for integrating strengths-based practices into standardized and informal speech therapy assessments.
Identify at least three sources of collateral information that can inform a holistic, child-centered evaluation.
List how to reframe written assessment findings to emphasize abilities and potential alongside areas for growth.

Agenda

5 minutes	Reframing the Assessment Mindset
10 minutes	Selecting and Adapting Assessment Tools
5 minutes	Gathering Collateral Information
5 minutes	Writing Reports Through a Strengths Lens
5 minutes	Case Walkthrough

Disclosures

Financial Disclosures:	Erin Elizabeth Milewski is receiving compensation for presenting this course.
Non-Financial Disclosures:	At times, Erin Elizabeth Milewski has written articles for. the ASHA Leader Blog. These articles may be mentioned and linked within this presentation. You can also find Erin at @secret_slp_society on Instagram.
Content Disclosures:	In this series of courses the following content are mentioned: Stuttering Toolbox (SLP Stephen), SLP Toolkit, Meaningful Speech NLA Course, and DASEL by Speech Dude.

ASHA

This course is offered for .05 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Professional Area