Structures speech-language evaluation with articulation, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication assessment. Use when conducting speech evaluations, assessing swallowing function, or documenting communication disorders.
Structures speech-language pathology evaluation including articulation/phonology, receptive and expressive language, motor speech (apraxia, dysarthria), voice, fluency, cognitive-communication, and swallowing (dysphagia) assessment per ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) standards and evidence-based practice guidelines.
Speech-language pathology encompasses communication and swallowing — two functions critical to safety, quality of life, and rehabilitation participation. Dysphagia mismanagement causes aspiration pneumonia, a leading cause of rehab readmission and mortality. Aphasia and cognitive-communication deficits directly impair rehabilitation participation, informed consent capacity, and discharge safety. ASHA requires SLPs to use standardized assessment tools, document severity using validated scales, and justify treatment with evidence-based rationale. CMS requires SLP documentation to demonstrate medical necessity and skilled assessment need. This skill produces comprehensive SLP evaluation documentation that meets ASHA clinical standards, payer requirements, and medicolegal expectations.
Before beginning SLP assessment, confirm:
Required clinical questions:
Required documents:
Aphasia assessment (post-stroke, neurogenic):
Aphasia classification and severity:
| Type | Fluency | Comprehension | Repetition | Naming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broca | Non-fluent | Relatively intact | Impaired | Impaired |
| Wernicke | Fluent (paraphasic) | Impaired | Impaired | Impaired |
| Global | Non-fluent | Impaired | Impaired | Impaired |
| Anomic | Fluent | Intact | Intact | Impaired |
| Conduction | Fluent | Intact | Impaired | Variably impaired |
Motor speech assessment:
Cognitive-communication assessment:
Clinical swallowing examination (bedside):
Instrumental assessment (when bedside is insufficient):
Standardized dysphagia scales:
Voice assessment (if voice disorder is referral concern):
Fluency assessment (stuttering):
For each area assessed, assign a severity rating:
ASHA National Outcome Measurement System (NOMS) Functional Communication Measures (FCM):
Integrate findings across domains: "Patient presents with moderate non-fluent (Broca) aphasia (WAB AQ = 56.4) characterized by effortful, agrammatic verbal output with relatively preserved auditory comprehension at the sentence level. Concomitant moderate oropharyngeal dysphagia with delayed swallow initiation and reduced hyolaryngeal excursion; PAS score 5 on thin liquids, PAS 2 on nectar-thick; chin-tuck strategy reduces penetration. IDDSI Level 2 liquids and Level 6 solids recommended. Cognitive-communication screening reveals intact orientation and attention with impaired working memory and verbal reasoning."
Before finalizing SLP assessment documentation: