MANHATTAN, NYC SPEECH LANGUAGE LITERACY TESTING

One of our areas of expertise is connecting language development with literacy. The best way to understand how we speak and comprehend words is by understanding linguistics, especially from an evolutionary perspective. Let’s examine communication in animals: dogs bark, for example, to alert their owners of impending danger, while dolphins produce high-pitched sounds to communicate their emotional states. These communication behaviors are in-the-moment attempts for animals to express their immediate needs. Yet, to date, there’s no evidence that any other animal species demonstrate the ability to produce and understand grammar. Why is the evolution of understanding and producing grammar significant? Grammar is what makes humans special: it provides us with the ability to discuss past and future events. Humans developed the most sophisticated communication system to date. When you look at the evolution of humans, a written form of language is called literacy, which evolved from spoken and understanding grammar. Schools are built around literacy. Speaking and understanding language existed before we learned how to read and write. We do not need to be schooled to learn to speak and understand our native language. We must be enriched in a stimulating linguistic environment to acquire strong language skills. On the other hand, literacy is not a natural language acquisition process and is taught explicitly and systematically: it takes many years for young children to master this system.

When seeking an evaluation to understand why your child is having difficulties with literacy, the top professionals to choose from are psychologists and licensed speech-language pathologists with literacy training.In New York State, licensed clinical psychologists evaluate learning and attentional differences. Next in line are licensed language pathologists who are experts in language (expressive and receptive language and its connection to literacy.) In New York State, language pathologists diagnose language disorders. Language disorders have many names such as developmental language disorder, and research calls it ‘specific language impairment’. Is dyslexia a form of a language disorder? At the research level, academics argue that dyslexia is a language disorder. Dyslexia literally means “bad language.” However, New York State defines dyslexia as a learning disorder which means in New York State, speech language pathologists cannot diagnose learning disorders (this is why psychologists are so vital to your child’s diagnosis). So, whenever your child is having difficulties with literacy, be cautious as teachers and non-licensed therapists cannot diagnose dyslexia and related learning disabilities. However, it is important that professionals we work with recognize that your child is having learning issues and the child is directed to the appropriate licensed/certified professional.

At Manhattan Letters, we offer a variety of language and literacy evaluations. We use assessment materials that are scientifically validated for identifying both language and literacy disorders. Our clinicians are skilled at interpreting these tests, which are crucial for your child’s progress. We use an integrated approach which recognizes the connections between speaking, listening, reading and writing. Without putting these pieces together, it is nearly impossible to understand language learning and potential literacy issues. We also work closely with neuropsychologists who diagnose dyslexia. A full language and literacy evaluation provides you with a comprehensive profile of your child’s strengths and weaknesses and best positions your child for maximal progress.

Based on learning how your child is struggling, our clinicians act as detectives to thoroughly investigate your child’s spoken and written language skills at the word, sentence, and discourse levels. We explain how one area negatively impacted can spill over to other areas of literacy.  For example, if a child is struggling with reading, it could be due to difficulties at either the sound (phoneme), grammar (passive or complex sentences), vocabulary levels at various modalities involving listening (auditory, no text), written, and spoken levels. Poor listening comprehension is highly correlated with weak reading comprehension skills. Learn what reading levels are and the different reading levels between age groups. Discover the importance of the test for reading levels and some common assessment methods used to determine reading levels.

Based on the evaluation’s results, intervention goals are developed based on where your child is demonstrating weaknesses, such as phonemes, grammar, and vocabulary in connection to the modality levels (listening, speaking, comprehending text, writing).  Recommendations for modifications and accommodations for students with language and literacy disabilities are also provided for families and school staff.  These evaluations should not be a substitute for a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. We work closely with some of the top New York State neuropsychologists.  Neuropsychological evaluations are crucial for understanding learning and attentional differences and are more comprehensive than our evaluations. Neuropsychological evaluations dive deep into how attention, memory, cognitive, language, and social/emotional functioning can negatively impact learning. Assessments provided by Manhattan Letters can also provide you with invaluable information if you cannot afford a neuropsychological evaluation, you cannot wait months to receive the results of a neuropsychological evaluation, or if your child is suspected of having a language disorder. On average it takes us two weeks to produce the report. The goal of Manhattan Letters is to provide you with objective data to help you figure out your next steps to intervention or additional testing.