Meet Susie, a 7-year-old girl with Down syndrome struggling to communicate effectively with her family and peers. Her parents have noticed that she has difficulty expressing herself and often becomes frustrated when she cannot communicate her needs and wants. They decide to take Susie to a speech-language pathologist for an ASHA-FACS assessment.
- During the ASHA-FACS assessment, the speech-language pathologist interviews Susie’s parents to gather information about her communication abilities and daily routines. They also observe Susie in various communication settings, such as at school and at home.
- The assessment reveals that Susie struggles with understanding and using complex language, maintaining a conversation, and expressing herself clearly. The speech-language pathologist recommends speech therapy to help improve these areas of communication.
- The speech therapy sessions include activities such as playing games that target vocabulary and grammar, practicing conversation skills with a communication partner, and using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to support communication.
- Over time, Susie’s communication skills improve significantly. She can express herself more clearly and confidently and is more successful in social situations. The speech-language pathologist periodically conducts ASHA-FACS assessments to track Susie’s progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
In conclusion, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Functional Assessment of Communication Skills is an essential tool for understanding the communication abilities of individuals with special needs. Using this assessment, speech-language pathologists can develop personalized treatment plans that target specific communication goals and improve communication competence. Goally, a tablet that provides fun and interactive apps for kids, including digital visual schedules and AAC, can effectively complement speech therapy for kids with communication challenges.
