Potential Referrals to Expect After an Evaluation
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) may refer you to other professionals after an individual completes a speech, language, or orofacial myofunctional evaluation. When there are suspected signs or symptoms of a diagnosis that is outside the scope of an SLP, it is best practice to refer to other qualified professionals. This ensures that the individual is being assessed from a holistic view. As professionals, it is important to take a team approach and be open to collaboration with each other in order to provide the best care. So, let’s get on with it! What referrals may I expect and why are they equally important in my plan of care?
You will be referred to an audiologist if there are concerns with hearing loss or auditory processing difficulties. If children are unable to hear sounds, speech production and language development will be a challenge. Your audiologist will provide diagnostic measures to determine what therapeutic services (e.g., hearing aids, cochlear implants, counseling, etc.) are required to obtain optimal results.
If there are concerns regarding developmental delays, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or attention deficit disorders you will be referred to a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neuropsychologist.
A large portion of our speech caseload will also require assistance from an occupational therapist to help meet developmental milestones (e.g., fine and gross motor skills, visual perception, bilateral skills, self care, sensory processing and regulation) and be as independent and functional in their daily routines and activities. If your child demonstrates difficulty sustaining attention or self-regulating their body, speech therapy can be a very difficult and frustrating task. Your child and their SLP may need to learn tools from OTs on how to prepare their body for sessions.
A referral to a physical therapist will be recommended if your child requires assistance with gross motor skills or mobility. They can assist your child by improving their strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, motor planning, body awareness, range of motion, positioning, and movement as well as how to use their equipment (e.g., wheelchair) effectively.
In some cases, you may also be referred to another speech-language pathologist who specializes in a certain area. For example, AAC, myofunctional therapy, and voice are niche areas that some SLPs are not qualified or comfortable providing services to.
If your child is observed to demonstrate improper function within their oral and facial musculature, an orofacial myologist or myofunctional therapist will be recommended to target proper breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking in those diagnosed with orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Prior to completing a myofunctional therapy program, structural abnormalities need to be ruled out. A referral to an ear, nose, throat doctor will be necessary to check on the status of your child’s adenoids, tonsils, turbinates, and tethered oral tissues to determine if it is impacting their quality of life and ability to breathe, speak, or swallow correctly.
If your child is observed to have structural abnormalities (e.g., high and narrow palate), it is recommended to see an orthodontist.
A referral to a dentist may be recommended for further examination of oral health.
Do you describe your child as a ‘picky’ eater? Are mealtimes difficult and often frustrating for you and your child? Feeding therapists determine the source of the child’s difficulty and develop a treatment plan to make the experience more enjoyable and create a healthy relationship with food.
Children who experience feeding difficulties, may not be receiving adequate nutrition to support development. If this is the case, it will be recommended to seek out the services of a registered dietician to ensure that your child’s basic needs are met.
An allergist may be recommended if there are reported or observed concerns with food sensitivities or intolerances, digestive problems, or breathing.
With Love,
RM Studio
