Which Assessment Tools to Choose When Starting Out?
Standardized tests, assessment batteries, specialized tests: build your diagnostic toolkit with the essential tools for reliable assessments.
Assessment tools form the foundation of your diagnostic practice. A standardized test provides the same procedure for all subjects, allowing for an objective comparison of performances. The calibration situates these performances relative to a reference population, identifying deviations from the norm.
📚 The Fundamentals of Speech Therapy Assessment
The speech therapy assessment allows for the objectification of difficulties, establishing a differential diagnosis, defining rehabilitation axes, and justifying care. The quality of this initial evaluation conditions the entire therapeutic support.
Standardization
Identical administration procedure for all, ensuring reproducibility
Calibration
Comparison to age norms to situate performances
Diagnosis
Precise identification of disorders to guide rehabilitation
🗣️ Child Oral Language Tests
The evaluation of oral language is at the core of many speech therapists' work. The batteries explore phonology, vocabulary, morphosyntax, pragmatics, and discourse.
EVALO 2-6 Essential
Essential reference for assessing oral language in young children. Modular structure allowing adaptation of administration to the child's profile. Recent and representative calibration.
Strengths: Recent calibration, fine qualitative analysis, comprehensive coverage of linguistic domains.
ELO - Oral Language Assessment Essential
Effective and quick assessment covering a wide age range. Condensed format ideal for screening assessments or when time is limited.
Strengths: Quick administration, wide age span, good diagnostic sensitivity.
N-EEL - New Tests for Language Examination
In-depth exploration with particular attention to phonological analysis. Historical reference appreciated for the fine analysis of phonological processes.
EXALANG (3-6 / 5-8 / 8-11)
Computerized batteries by age group. Attractive digital interface, quick administration, and automated scoring with report generation.
💡 Starting Advice
The combination EVALO 2-6 + ELO effectively covers the majority of situations in pediatrics. EVALO for in-depth assessments of young children, ELO for quick screenings and older children. Budget: approximately 700 €
✏️ Written Language Tests
Written language disorders represent a significant part of the activity with school-aged children. These tools finely analyze reading and writing processes.
ALOUETTE-R Essential
Reference reading test for decades. Evaluates speed and accuracy on a nonsensical text, isolating decoding mechanisms.
Strengths: Historical reference, very quick administration, sensitivity to reading disorders.
TIMÉ-3 - Written Word Identification Test Essential
Evaluates both reading pathways: assembly pathway (decoding) and addressing pathway (direct recognition). Fundamental distinction for differential diagnosis of dyslexias.
BELO - Reading and Spelling Assessment Battery
Comprehensive assessment including reading and spelling. Fine analysis of the strategies used by the child and the failing mechanisms.
Chronodictées
Standardized tool for spelling assessment from CE1 to 3rd grade. Each calibrated dictation allows for precise situating of the level.
🧠 Adult Neurology Tests
The evaluation of acquired neurological disorders (aphasias, neurodegenerative pathologies, trauma) requires specific tools to characterize deficits.
BDAE - Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Essential neuro
International reference for the evaluation of aphasias. Explores all language modalities and allows for classification of the type of aphasia.
MT-86 - Montreal-Toulouse Protocol Essential neuro
Francophone assessment of aphasic disorders. Modular structure allowing flexible administration according to the patient's condition.
MoCA - Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Quick and sensitive screening for mild cognitive disorders. Free screening tool after online certification.
🎯 Complete Your Assessments with DYNSEO
DYNSEO applications offer valuable observation supports in addition to your standardized tests. Observe cognitive strategies in playful and ecological situations.
Discover the 69 tools →🎒 Assembling Your Toolkit According to Your Profile
📋 Basic Toolkit - General Pediatrics
- EVALO 2-6 or equivalent (oral language for young children)
- ELO (broad oral language screening)
- ALOUETTE-R (reading)
- TIMÉ-3 (reading pathways)
- Chronodictées or equivalent (spelling)
- Protocol for oro-facial praxies
Estimated budget for this toolkit
📋 Basic Toolkit - Adult Neurology
- BDAE or MT-86 (aphasias)
- MoCA (cognitive screening)
- GECCO (functional communication)
- Swallowing assessment protocol
- Verbal memory tests
Estimated budget for this toolkit
💡 Optimizing Your Investment
💰 Cost-saving Strategies
- Pooling: In group practice, share expensive tests that are rarely used
- Second-hand: Professional groups and specialized sites offer second-hand equipment
- Gradual Approach: Start with the essentials, complete according to actual needs
- Training: Some training programs include equipment in their fees
- Free Tools: ODEDYS, MoCA usefully complement the toolkit
Paper Tests vs Computerized Tests
| Criterion | Paper Tests | Computerized Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | Moderate | Higher |
| Scoring | Manual | Automatic |
| Report | To be written | Generated |
| Child Attractiveness | Variable | High |
| Updates | Repurchase | Download |
🎯 Conclusion
Assembling your assessment toolkit represents a strategic investment that conditions the quality of your diagnostic evaluations. Start with the essential tools corresponding to your target clientele.
A thorough mastery of a few well-chosen tests takes precedence over the accumulation of underutilized tools. Each test deserves a time of appropriation to extract all its diagnostic richness.
Ready to assemble your diagnostic toolkit?
DYNSEO complements your assessments with innovative observation tools.
