Language Difference vs. Disorder
Learning and using Spanish and English does not itself cause a speech or language disorder. Differences related to bilingual development should not automatically be treated as impairment.
Hand in Hand Speech Therapy provides culturally responsive speech-language evaluations for Spanish-speaking and bilingual children across Queens, New York City, and Long Island. A child's complete language experience should be considered—not English skills alone.
Bilingual children may use different words, language patterns, or levels of proficiency depending on the person, setting, and language being used. Evaluation should consider the child's development across their complete linguistic experience.
Learning and using Spanish and English does not itself cause a speech or language disorder. Differences related to bilingual development should not automatically be treated as impairment.
Parents and caregivers help us understand how the child communicates in Spanish and English across home, school, family, and community settings.
We consider more than test scores. The goal is to understand how effectively the child communicates wants, ideas, questions, and needs in real-life situations.
Una evaluación puede considerar la comprensión del lenguaje, el lenguaje expresivo, los sonidos del habla, la comunicación social y la comunicación funcional según las necesidades individuales del niño.
También se puede tomar en cuenta el historial del desarrollo, muestras de lenguaje, información de los padres o cuidadores, experiencias educativas y la manera en que el niño se comunica en diferentes ambientes.
Si el niño utiliza gestos, apoyos visuales, señas o un sistema de AAC, estos métodos también pueden formar parte de su perfil general de comunicación.
Depending on the child's evaluation findings and individual needs, recommendations may include speech-language therapy, family coaching, AAC support, additional assessment, school collaboration, or monitoring.
Tell us about your child's age, the languages they hear and use, your communication concerns, and the reason you are seeking an evaluation. We can help determine the appropriate next step.