The Adventure

Assessing a new client is one giant puzzle. There are pieces to gather all over the place! Information from the interview, informal observation, standardized assessments and above all else the motivation for possible therapy. Sometimes it is the parents coming in unsure of what their child needs and it is our job to give them some answers. Now, I like to call the assessment process "an adventure" due it's many characters, settings, plot, conflict and resolution. Let me walk you through the adventure of an assessment session!

The Adventure

Characters: 

The main character of any adventure is the client. The client controls (in most ways) their progress and motivation. Parents, educators, and friends may all have supporting roles in the adventure! Their support is crucial for the main character to reach their potential and provide them with a supporting environment along the way. The characters arrive at the initial assessment with different points of views and blank slates of what the upcoming adventure might be.

           Settings: 

The setting of the evaluation is the environment you build to begin the adventure. They say that first impressions are everything! And, that might be true, but I also believe that all impressions should be great and that throughout the evaluation you should be building a safe, comfortable, and hopeful environment for every client. However, the setting may change throughout the adventure. This may mean bringing in new characters to gain a better understanding of the overall communication profile through spontaneous conversations. This may mean bringing in the child's favorite toy or book because it puts them at ease. Taking a few pages from each setting is the beginning to shape the adventure! 

Plot: 

Here comes the drama of any adventure! The characters and setting have been laid out and now it's time to figure out the "problem" or "reason" for the adventure. The plot becomes revealed after a thorough interview with the characters, manipulating the setting, and completing a standardized and dynamic assessment. The plot may not always become apparent at first. The characters may come in with an idea of what the plot may be but after beginning their adventure the plot may change. This is the tricky part! Keeping a watchful eye (a clinician's eye!) on what the plot truly is. 

Conflict: 

Once the plot is revealed there inevitably may be some conflict. The communication profile is discussed and the characters slowly begin to absorb the information one percentile rank at a time. This is the hardest part of any adventure! Interpreting what may be from what was seen. Being patient, kind and knowledgable is the best way to get through the conflict of the adventure. If there is anything I've learned from stories - it's that hope is the only way to a happy ending.

Resolution: 

Finally, we have come to the resolution stage of the adventure! The part when the digesting of information and patience is over and a prognosis and treatment plan (or no treatment plan!) is made. This is the happy ending of the adventure because no matter what - you discovered how to best treat your client to make them be the best communicator they can be! 

The End!

Well there it is! The amazing adventure of an assessment process! Every story is different and that is the beauty I have found in this field - never the same thing twice. 

Speak. Listen. Sparkle.
L