Introduction to Diagnosis & Evaluation

What is an evalua?

Evaluations are the use of methods or processes to identify or determine the nature & cause of a disease or problem. This would include trial therapy tasks, and gathering generalization data.

What is the difference among predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors when considering etiology?

Predisposing factors include an apparent genetic predisposition to stutter. Stuttering runs in families but an environmental factor can play a role as well. Precipitating factors are no longer be operating and not identifiable (language disorder still remaining after ear infections are cured). Lastly, perpetuating factors are variables currently at work on the individual.

1. What is RTI and how is it incorporated into the evaluation process?

RTI (response to intervention) is the practice of providing high-quality instruction/intervention matched to student needs and using learning rate over time and level of performance to make important educational decisions.

How is RTI incorporated into eval process?

RTI involves prevention intervention goals in an outcome driven system.

What three components require consideration when determining whether a communication disorder is present?

Speech difference, speech disturbance or speech disorder.

How did the WHO contribute to the development of ASHA's preferred practice patterns?

The WHO developed a framework that draws attention to the squelae of an illness or disorder. The first concerns the body function and structure: what the person can do in a standard environment and the second addresses what the person can do in his or her usual environment. The modern SLP is concerned with the concepts of functioning and social disability.

What is a diagnosis?

The term diagnosis means distinguishing a person's problems from the large field of potential disabilities. This may be how the client responds to many conditions and how they perform on a variety of tasks.

Dynamic assessment

a testing procedure that uses a test-intervene-test procedure to assess the examinee's potential to change

What factors must the clinician consider when making prognoses?

age, length of time the patient has existed, existence of other problems, reactions of significant others, and client motivation.

How does EBP contribute to clinical decision making?

1. This plays a role in assessment and treatment enterprises. 2. You cannot be clinically competent unless you keep up with current research literature. It is important that a practicing clinician is updated on new developments in field. 3. Every client has perceptions, values, & preferences that should be considered in a clinical relationship.

How does the diagnostician contribute to the evaluation process?

Diagnosticians consult their own response and formulate their own points of view in the give and take of conversations. Effective diagnosticians tend to question surface validity of behaviors and search for motivations, explanations, and interpretations that are not apparent.

What are the three parts of evidence-based practice?

choosing treatment methods that have scientific support and that show effectiveness, clinical expertise of the practitioner, & taking into account the values and perspective of the client we are working with

What are the three levels of diagnosis?

determine baseline for specific treatment goals, evaluation to determine baseline in functional communication, and evaluation to determine communication in nonclinical environments.

Static assessment

passive participants, examiner observes, results identify deficits, standardized administration

What are the three levels of evaluation?

to monitor clinical progress in treatment setting, monitor progress in functional communication, and monitor generalization to natural environment.

What are the two major reasons that evaluations are performed?

to understand client's problem or diagnosis and to monitor the client's progress in treatment & describe changes in communication disturbance.