Screening Program

Aspire Therapy is committed to preparing the children in the Dane County region for academic and social success, and for this reason we offer FREE center-wide developmental screenings to daycare centers and preschools in our community. Research shows us that early identification is a key factor in facilitating strong acquisition of developmental skills, and high-quality early intervention services can change a child’s developmental trajectory. We offer free screenings so that all children are given the opportunity to have their speech, language, and fine and gross motor development screened (only after receiving parent permission). If you would like your child to be screened, you must return the completed "Screening Referral Form". A screen consists of a series of tasks and questions, that will help the therapist determine if the child should receive further evaluation. The therapist may also talk with the child’s teacher to assess any academic, play, social, or sensory concerns the teacher may have noted in the classroom. Each child who is screened will have a “Screening Results Form” sent home. If the therapist recommends further testing, the parent will be provided the therapist’s phone number to further discuss concerns and set up an evaluation.

If additional evaluation was recommended and you are interested in pursuing a comprehensive, standardized, speech-language, occupational, or physical therapy evaluation, please contact our office. We will then work with you to either schedule a time to return to your child’s school, come to your home, or coordinate a time for you to come to our clinic to conduct the standardized evaluation. The examiner will consider scores from standardized testing, parent/teacher concerns, prior medical history, and child observation to determine therapeutic recommendations. You will receive therapeutic recommendations at the time of the evaluation and a complete evaluation report within 10 days of the evaluation. You can always contact your child’s therapist if you have questions or concerns at any time.

Screenings and evaluations have different purposes. A screening is a basic “snapshot” of a child’s abilities. It can be conducted quickly, anywhere from 10-20 minutes or more. It takes a broad look at the child’s speech, language, fine and gross motor, play, social, sensory, and developmental skills. A screening is done to identify any child who should have further testing. A failed screening does not necessarily mean a child needs therapy, it simply means the child would benefit from additional testing.

An evaluation is a much more in-depth look at your child’s abilities and developmental history. An evaluation takes much longer to administer and the length of an evaluation depends on the child’s age, the skills being assessed, as well as other factors. An evaluation typically lasts about an hour. If your child is recommended for an evaluation in more than one area, each area will be evaluated separately. An evaluation is done to determine if therapy services are necessary.

The results of your child’s evaluation are discussed with you at the time of the evaluation and then a report is written to include standardized test scores, observations of strengths and areas of need, diagnosis, and recommendations. If therapy is recommended, the frequency and duration of therapy is discussed openly with you, and the most appropriate plan for your child and your family is decided together.

You should contact a professional as soon as any developmental concerns arise. No child is too young to be helped. If there is a problem, early identification is crucial. Developmental skills are like building blocks and the foundation is built when a child is very young. The earlier a problem is identified the earlier the skills can be targeted, which can positively affect the rate of progress for your child. If there is no problem, you will be relieved of worry. Aspire offers free consultations to families. Please contact us to discuss your questions and concerns.

Childcare providers and preschool teachers are often the first to identify potential developmental concerns. Our screenings are a way to support you with identifying and communicating concerns to families and provide you with a professional service to offer families at no cost. Aspire provides all materials and communications. Each screening takes approximately 15 minutes per child. If you are interested in offering screenings at your location, please contact Aspire Therapy for more information.