How to deal with a preschooler during a speech-language evaluation?

I've sat in on many a speech therapy session with my behavioral students and have learned of two iPhone apps that are like preschooler crack: Talking Carl and Balloonimals. Talking Carl will repeat whatever you say in a squeaky adorable-monster voice which can be good for getting the kiddos to talk. Balloonimals requires that you blow on the microphone, if that's helpful to you, and then you can talk about the balloon animals that it generates. In the event that you don't have an iPhone, bring a few interesting small toys and casually play with one. If she looks interested or reaches for it, you can say something like, "Do you want a turn? Great, let's make a 'mmm' sound and you can have a turn." This isn't bribery, this isn't cheating. It's providing an incentive to cooperate (and hopefully reinforcing that cooperation), since it doesn't sound like interacting with unfamiliar adults is incentive enough for her. Windup toys are good for this, as are squishy balls that light up, Silly Putty, and Slinkies.

I'm a Speech Language Pathologist. I've done many tests with that age range, and it is either super easy or ridiculously hard. If possible, have the caregiver there, and have them interact with her. You can take notes or record the session. You can give them instructions to give the child, but make sure they aren't invalidating the test by providing cues, and it would also be something to mention in your report. If the parent isn't avaliable, try to see if someone else in your program can help out. With kids that shy, I don't try to put on a show at all, but rather just be calm and act like the whole thing is no big deal. She doesn't seem like the "make a monkey face with me!" types by your description. Give her time to feel comfortable in the testing area. Its possible that you may just have one of those tests that's like pulling teeth the whole time. She may scream the whole time, or whatever. We've all had MANY of those. I'm sure you're doing this, but you can also give something like the MacArthur that is all parent report in order to get a more comprehensive view of her communication abilities. Many sections of the Pre-School Language Scale allow for caregiver report as well. Also, if you're doing the PLS or something else with manipulatives, just let her play with them and observe; you may get some of the test items that way, and she'll feel more in control. Good luck!

My daughter just turned four. She is currently SUPER competitive; anything you can make into a competition, she will do. "I bet I can open my mouth wider than you!" "I bet I can make a louder MMMMM noise than you can!" Anything. I dunno if that will help, but it's how I make it through every day.

I'm the parent of a special-needs preschooler who has seen many speech pathologists. Every kid is different but with my kid, if you can give him a little time to check out the room and let him get comfortable, he'll do much better. Hang back, pretend you don't really notice him or what he's doing and let him show you what he finds interesting. Then use whatever he picks up as your motivator in getting him to do what you need. He is completely uninterested in stickers or bubbles but there are plenty of other things he loves .. just let him give you some cues and roll with that. And if I may add a side note: Please don't call me "Mom" either when talking to me or talking to one of your colleagues (as in, "Mom reports that Billy always holds a crayon that way" or "Mom, could you please hand Billy this cup?"). Ask me if I prefer to be called Mrs. Jones or Laura and then call me that. It's really annoying and insulting to be called 'Mom' by the professionals treating my child and it happens a lot. I know they don't mean anything by it but I don't like it ... and so many of the other parents I talk with agree it's condescending and sort of lazy. I can remember your name so hopefully you can remember mine. And .. thanks for going into this very important profession. You are needed.

I'm a mother who goes to a pediatric practice that has med students every visit. While I don't have anything to say about speech/language stuff, I have observed a lot of students in action. I definitely prefer when the med students ask me, "What's the best way to get a look in his ears?" about my toddler or whatever. I know my kid and I know what will freak him out and what will get him to cooperate. Many of the med students are so anxious about going through their script and about appearing unknowledgeable that they're afraid to ask for my help, but that actually signals comfort and competence and respect for my role as a parent.

I didn't mean that to sound quite as stark as it did -- that isn't to say you can't just go ahead with your mad preschooler skillz, but that if you're not sure or if the kid isn't cooperating, I prefer the medical professional ask me, and when students ask, it comes across as a sign of maturity and self-assuredness. :) My son's pediatrician who sees him often and has years of experience just does her thing with him, although she also keeps up something of a running patter where she'll ask if he'll cooperate with X or if he's likely to pee on her when she checks the diaper. But when the PA sees him, for example, she asks us a lot more and defers to us a lot more. She has a better rapport with older kids, and she doesn't see him very much.

It could help a lot to not jump right into the assessment, but to spend some time just playing and talking first. Have some games or toys on hand and just sit on the floor or something and help the little one get a sense of you as a non-threatening, non-scary person; be silly, laugh, and watch her responses to you so you know when to pull back or get even deeper into giggles. (Context: I'm a therapist working with many ages of kids, and my first sessions are usually spent asking about the kid's friends and hobbies, with little mention of any of the "serious" stuff until after I can see that there's some decent rapport built up.)

Talking Carl has now taken over my house.

Talking Carl is insanely compelling. And not just for preschoolers. Not uh, that I would know or anything. You can also tickle/poke him. Some of the gentlest children I know enjoy poking Carl in the eye so they can hear him scream "OUCH!" So, y'know, there's another fun activity you can do to build rapport! Poking creatures in the eye!