I still remember the butterflies in my stomach when I brought my son to his first speech evaluation. And I'm literally a speech pathologist. I knew exactly what would happen, and I was still nervous. So if you're feeling anxious about your child's first session, you're in very good company.
The unknown is what makes it scary. So let me take the unknown away. Here's exactly what a first session with me looks like — no jargon, no surprises.
Before We Even Meet: The Parent Interview
Before our first session, I'll send you a brief questionnaire about your child. I want to know: What are your concerns? What words does your child use? How do they communicate when they want something? What are they interested in? Are there any medical or developmental history details I should know? This helps me prepare and make the most of our time together.
I also want to hear from you — the parent — because you are the expert on your child. You know things no assessment tool can capture.
The First 10 Minutes: Getting Comfortable
When you arrive (or when I arrive, for home visits around the PV area), the first thing we do is... play. That's it. I get on the floor with your child and follow their lead. If they want to play with trains, we play with trains. If they want to stack blocks, we stack blocks. If they want to hide behind your legs for ten minutes, that's perfectly fine too.
I'm not "testing" your child during this time (even though I'm observing everything). I'm building trust. A child who feels safe will show me their true communication abilities. A child who feels pressured will shut down. So we take it slow.
The Assessment: Play With a Purpose
Once your child is comfortable, I start weaving in assessment activities — but it still looks like play. I might blow bubbles and see if they request more. I might offer choices ("Want the car or the ball?") and see how they respond. I might read a short book and see if they point to pictures when I name them. I'll listen to what sounds they're making, how they're using words, and how they interact.
For older children, I might use a more structured assessment tool — but even then, it involves pictures, toys, and conversation. No child is sitting at a desk filling out worksheets. Ever.
What I'm Looking At
During the session, I'm looking at the whole picture: How does your child communicate? (words, gestures, eye contact, sounds). What sounds can they make? How well can they understand what's said to them? How do they play? (Play skills and language skills are deeply connected.) How do they interact with you and with me?
The Parent Debrief: Your Questions Answered
After I've spent time with your child, we talk. This is the part parents tell me they appreciate most. I'll share what I observed, where your child is relative to developmental expectations, and — most importantly — whether I think therapy would help and what it would look like.
I'll be honest with you. If I think your child is developing typically and just needs more time, I'll tell you that. If I think there are areas where support would make a real difference, I'll explain why and what I recommend. No upselling. No scare tactics. Just clear, honest information so you can make the best decision for your family.
What to Bring
Bring your child (obviously!), any comfort items they might want, a snack if you think they'll need one, and any reports from other providers (pediatrician notes, early intervention evaluations). Most importantly, bring your questions. Write them down beforehand if that helps — I want to make sure everything on your mind gets addressed.
What Your Child Will Think Happened
Here's my favorite part: after the session, your child will think they just had a really fun playdate. They played with cool toys, blew some bubbles, read a book, and met a nice lady who was really interested in their train collection. That's the goal. Assessment should never feel scary or clinical for a child.
If you're on the fence about scheduling that first evaluation, I promise it's less intimidating than it sounds. And the peace of mind — whether the news is "everything looks great" or "here's how we can help" — is worth it every time. Reach out whenever you're ready. I'll be here.
