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Comprehensive Speech, Language & Literacy Assessments

Clear Answers for Your Child’s Communication and Learning Needs

Conducted by : Dr. Gayatri Ram, PhD., CCC-SLP| Portland, Oregon 

In-home|community-based

If you are concerned about your child’s communication, you are likely looking for more than strategies, you are looking for answers.

At SynapseKids, evaluations are designed to provide a clear, in-depth understanding of how your child communicates, learns, and engages with the world.

This is not a one-time testing session.

It is a thoughtful, multi-session evaluation process that helps identify what is truly driving your child’s  communication so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Start by booking a free consultation with Dr. Ram 

What we evaluate to understand your child 

This evaluation is designed to look beyond isolated skills and understand how your child’s communication, language, and learning systems work together in real life.  Evaluations are individualized and may include: 

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Language & Communication

  • late talkers and early language development

  • receptive (understanding) and expressive (using) language

  • school-age language and academic language skills

  • social communication and interaction

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Speech Sound Development

  • articulation (speech sound clarity)

  • phonological patterns and speech sound systems

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Literacy & Learning

  • phonics and decoding skills

  • reading fluency and accuracy

  • reading comprehension and language understanding

  • spelling and written language

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Neurodivergent Profiles

  • sensory regulation and engagement

  • language processing and communication differences

Looking at these areas together allows us to identify not just what your child is struggling with, but why and what will help them move forward.

Our Assessment Process

This process is intentionally designed to give you a more accurate and meaningful understanding of your child. It is generally a multisession process. 

This evaluation is grounded in:

  • evidence-based speech-language pathology

  • neurodevelopmental understanding

  • relationship-based, child-centered care

The focus is on how communication shows up in your child’s real life and not just standardized scores. 

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1

Start with Conversation 

We begin with a free consultation to understand your concerns and determine which type of evaluation is the right next step.

We also gather information about your family's goals and priorities, cultural values and information about prior assessments and testing 

2

Multi-Session Evaluation

Evaluations are completed over at least two 90-minute sessions, allowing time to observe your child across different contexts.

During these sessions, we use a combination of:

  • standardized assessments

  • play-based (younger children) and dynamic assessment (older children)

  • clinical observation

  • interaction-based tasks

*For Literacy assessments: Oral language assessments may be administered in addition to comprehensive written language asssessments​

This approach helps capture your child’s true abilities not just how they perform in structured testing.

3

Review & Plan 

You will receive a detailed report, a clear explanation of findings, and practical recommendations. We will review everything with you and answer all questions.

Together, we will determine the most effective path forward whether that includes therapy, parent coaching, or additional support. 

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What's different 

Many evaluations are completed in a single session and rely heavily on standardized scores.

While those tools are useful, they often do not capture the full picture of how a child communicates in real life.

At SynapseKids, we take a different approach.

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We look at your child as a complete communication system including regulation, language processing, engagement, and interaction so we can understand not just what is happening, but why progress may or may not be happening.

Hence our evaluation process involves use of standardized assessments, play-based and dynamic assessments, parent interview, clinical observation, curriculum based assessments (Dyslexia) and prior assessment review. 

Because without that level of understanding, even well-intentioned therapy can miss the mark.

What you walk away with 

  • A clear, in-depth understanding of your child’s communication profile including strengths, areas of need, and how these impact learning

  • Insight into how your child processes oral and written language, so you understand exactly where breakdowns are occurring and why

  • A personalized, actionable plan you can begin using immediately, with clearly defined next steps, including the most appropriate type of intervention, school supports, and community resources

  • Practical strategies and a structured home program to support progress in everyday routines

  • Guidance for school support, including IEP or 504 planning, when applicable

Scope & Collaborative Care 

We evaluate speech, language, and literacy skills, including reading and language-based learning disorders.

While we do not formally diagnose autism or dyslexia as these require multidisciplinary evaluations. We provide detailed communication and literacy profiles that can support team-based assessments.

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You do not need a formal diagnosis of Dyslexia to begin receiving literacy support. Our comprehensive oral and written language evaluations provide the depth and clarity needed to guide effective literacy intervention. 

We regularly collaborate with:

  • pediatricians

  • psychologists and neuropsychologists

  • educators and school teams

  • occupational therapists

  • speech-language pathologists 

Investment 

Evaluations at SynapseKids are designed to provide a thorough and meaningful understanding of your child and are generally not just a single testing session.

Because of the time, depth, and clinical analysis involved, most comprehensive assessments are offered as flat-fee packages rather than per-session billing.

In some cases, assessments may be billed through insurance and completed within payer-specific guidelines, including session limits and documentation requirements. If this option is appropriate, it will be discussed during your initial consultation so you can make an informed decision about the best path forward for your family.

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Comprehensive Speech & Language Evaluation

Includes consultation, multi-session evaluation when appropriate, written report, results review, and individualized plan with home strategies.

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Comprehensive Literacy Evaluation (Oral & Written Language)

Includes assessment of oral and written language, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and writing, along with detailed interpretation and targeted recommendations.

Start your child's journey

If you’re ready to understand your child more clearly and move forward with confidence, the first step is a simple conversation.

Initial Free Video Consultation 

Dr. Ram will discuss your concerns and obtain information about your child's current skills and services 

 Multi-session Assessment 

We will schedule atleast two 1-1.5 hours assessment sessions to obtain a detailed understanding of your child's oral and written language strengths and areas of improvement . Session lengths are determined based on age and abilities of your child 

Review & Plan 

Follow up session to review results and make a cohesive plan for your child 

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