• This speech & language screener is an optional tool provided by GaragePod and RDB Speech. The purpose of this screener is to provide parents with general information regarding speech and language development. This can also be helpful in deciding if you'd like to pursue an assessment or services for your child.

    Consider filling out this screener if you:

    1. are concerned about your childs speech or language development
    2. want more information about your child's speech and language development
    3. would like to schedule your child for speech and language services at GaragePod with Rachel Bashkoff.

  • DISCLAIMER
    This speech-language screening tool DOES NOT:

    • Replace a speech and language evaluation completed by a licensed speech language pathologist (SLP).
    • Diagnose a speech and/or language delay or disorder.
    • Qualify children for speech therapy.
    • Collect any personal information or share any personal information.

    If you have any concerns about your child PLEASE:

    • Contact your child's pediatrician
    • Find a local speech pathologist to set up a consultation. We have partnered with Rachel Bashkoff of RDB Speech and you can contact her here.
    • Contact your child's school district for recommendations

    *** Remember that all children develop at their own pace, and some variations are normal. ***

  • If you are ready to begin the screener, please do so by answering the first question below and then click NEXT.

  • 1. How old is your child*

  • Speech & Language Screener for Children 12-17 Months Old

    This language screener for children aged 12-17 months is designed to assess early language development milestones. It is essential to keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Does your child respond to their name?*
  • 2. Can your child follow simple one-step commands (e.g., "Come here," "Wave bye-bye")?*
  • 3. Does your child seem to understand common objects or body parts (e.g., "Where is the ball?" "Point to your nose")?*
  • 4. Does your child know a few parts of the body and can point to them when asked?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 5. Does your child use gestures to communicate, such as waving or pointing?*
  • 6. Does your child use any specific words consistently (e.g., "Mama," "Dada")?*
  • 7. Does your child attempt to imitate or approximate words they hear?*
  • 8. Does your child babble with a variety of sounds, even if they don't make real words yet?*

  • Section 3: Pragmatic Language (Social)

  • 9. Does your child engage in simple back-and-forth interactions, like waving or clapping when you do?*
  • 10. Does your child use eye contact to communicate or get your attention?*
  • 11. Does your child attempt to get your attention to share interest or show you things?*
  • 12. Does your child enjoy simple stories, songs, and rhymes?*

  • Language Screener for Children 18-21 Months Old

    This language screener for children aged 18-21 months is designed to assess early language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Does the child respond consistently to simple commands (e.g., "Give me the ball," "Wave bye-bye")?*
  • 2. Can the child point to familiar objects or body parts when asked (e.g., "Where is the dog?" "Show me your nose")?*
  • 3. Does the child point to pictures, when named, in books?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 4. Does the child acquire new words on a regular basis?*
  • 5. Does the child use one-or two-word questions (e.g. "Where kitty?" or "Go bye-bye?")*
  • 6. Can the child say at least 6-10 words, such as names of familiar people or objects?*
  • 7. Does the child attempt to combine two words (e.g., "more juice," "big dog")?*

  • Section 3: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 8. Does the child engage in very simple back-and-forth exchanges with you, using words, gestures, or sounds?*
  • 9. Does the child use eye contact and facial expressions to communicate and express emotions?*
  • 10. Does the child show interest in what others are saying or doing?*

  • Section 4: Play Skills

  • 11. Does the child engage in pretend play with toys (e.g., pretending to feed a doll, talking on a toy phone)?*
  • 12. Does the child use objects symbolically (e.g., using a block as a phone)?*

  • Language Screener for Children 22-24 Months Old

    This language screener for children aged 22-24 months is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Can the child follow simple two-step commands (e.g., "Get the ball and bring it here")?*
  • 2. Does the child understand and respond to questions like "What's your name?" or "Where is the teddy bear?"*
  • 3. Does the child point to pictures, when named, in books?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 4. Is the child using a growing vocabulary, putting 2 words together?(e.g., "More juice," "Big doggie")?*
  • 5. Can the child name familiar objects and people when asked (e.g., "What's this?" "Who is that?")?*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 6. Is the child's speech becoming clearer, with most words understandable to familiar caregivers?*
  • 7. Does the child have a closed mouth resting posture (nasal breathing, not mouth breathing)?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 8. Does the child engage in simple conversations with you, using longer strings of words and sentences?*
  • 9. Does the child initiate communication with peers or adults, such as through play or sharing experiences?*
  • 10. Can the child understand and respond appropriately to nonverbal cues from others?*

  • Section 5: Play Skills

  • 11. Does the child engage in more complex pretend play, creating imaginary scenarios and using props creatively?*
  • 12. Does the child imitate others' actions or language during play?*

  • Speech & Language Screener for Children 25-30 Months Old

    The language screener for children aged 25-30 months is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Can the child follow increasingly complex instructions (e.g., "Find the red ball and put it on the table")?*
  • 2. Does the child understand and respond to questions like "What did you do today?" or "Where are your shoes?"*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 3. Is the child using a growing vocabulary, with approximately 150 words or more?*
  • 4. Does the child use sentences with at least three or more words (e.g., "I want to play," "My big blue truck")?*
  • 5. Can the child ask simple questions (e.g. “What’s this?”)?*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 6. Is the child's speech becoming increasingly more clear, with most words understandable to both familiar caregivers and unfamiliar individuals?*
  • 7. Does the child have a closed mouth resting posture (nasal breathing, not mouth breathing)?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 8. Does the child engage in more extended conversations with you, sharing experiences and asking questions?*
  • 9. Does the child use a combination of words, gestures, and facial expressions to convey meaning effectively?*
  • 10. Can the child understand and respond appropriately to nonverbal cues from others?*

  • Section 5: Play Skills

  • 11. Does the child engage in pretend play, creating and sustaining imaginative scenarios with toys and props?*
  • 12. Does the child engage in cooperative play with peers, sharing ideas and roles during play?*

  • Speech & Language Screener for Children 31-36 Months Old

    The language screener for children aged 31-36 months is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Can the child follow more complex instructions (e.g., "Find the biggest red ball and put it in the blue box")?*
  • 2. Does the child understand and respond to questions like "Tell me about your day" or "How does this work?"*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 3. Does the child use sentences with four or more words (e.g., "I want to go to the park," "Look at the shiny, red car")?*
  • 4. Can the child engage in conversations, staying on topic and providing coherent answers to questions?*
  • 5. Does the child appropriately use pronouns (e.g., "I," "you," "he/she," "mine," "yours")?*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 6. Is the child's speech clear and understandable to both familiar caregivers and unfamiliar individuals?*
  • 7. Does the child have a closed mouth resting posture (nasal breathing, not mouth breathing)?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 8. Can the child express empathy and understand the feelings of others?*
  • 9. Does the child use appropriate social language (e.g., greetings, politeness) in different situations?*
  • 10. Can the child understand and respond to nonverbal cues from others in social interactions?*

  • Section 5: Narrative Skills

  • 11. Can the child tell short stories or recount events in a logical sequence?*
  • 12. Can the child understand and ask questions about stories or events with relevant details?*

  • Speech & Language Screener for Children 37-42 Months Old

    The language screener for children aged 37-42 months is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Can the child understand phrases like, "Put the book on the shelf, then bring me the red crayon")?*
  • 2. Does the child understand and respond to questions that require reasoning or predicting outcomes (e.g., "Why do you think the character did that in the story?")?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 3. Does the child use sentences with five or more words (e.g., "I want to go to the park with my friends")?*
  • 4. Can the child engage in extended conversations, staying on topic and providing detailed information?*
  • 5. Does the child use more complex language structures, such as plurals, verb tenses, and adjectives?*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 6. Is the child's speech consistently clear and intelligible to both familiar caregivers and unfamiliar individuals?*
  • 7. Are speech sound errors decreasing?*
  • 8. Are any persistent speech sound errors improving, causing overall improvement with communication?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 9. Does the child engage in conversations with peers and adults, showing the ability to take turns and maintain appropriate eye contact?*
  • 10. Can the child interpret nonverbal cues from others effectively in social interactions?*

  • Section 5: Narrative Skills

  • 11. Can the child tell more extended stories with a beginning, middle, and end?*
  • 12. Does the child use descriptive language for the listener?*

  • Speech & Language Screener for Children 43-48 Months Old

    The language screener for children aged 43-48 months is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Can the child understand and follow complex instructions involving multiple steps (e.g., "First, put the blue block on the table, then bring me the yellow ball")?*
  • 2. Does the child understand and respond to questions that require more abstract thinking (e.g., "How are a dog and a cat the same?")?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 3. Does the child use sentences with six or more words, including more complex sentence structures (e.g., "I'd like to go to the park because it's sunny today")?*
  • 4. Can the child express ideas, thoughts, and feelings clearly and effectively?*
  • 5. Does the child ask "how", "why", and "when" questions?*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 6. Is the child's speech consistently clear and intelligible to both familiar caregivers and unfamiliar individuals?*
  • 7. Can the child produce all of the following sounds correctly: sh, ch, j, s, z, f, v, l (and r sound emerging)?*
  • 8. Does the child have a closed mouth resting posture (nasal breathing, not mouth breathing)?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 9. Does the child engage in meaningful, back-and-forth conversations with peers and adults, demonstrating the ability to listen actively and respond appropriately?*
  • 10. Can the child adapt their communication style to different social situations (e.g., using polite language with adults, more casual language with peers)?*
  • 11. Can the child interpret and respond effectively to nonverbal cues from others, including subtle social signals?*

  • Section 5: Narrative Skills

  • 12. Can the child tell more complex stories with well-developed characters, settings, and storylines?*

  • Speech & Language Screener for Kindergarten Students

    The language screener for kindergarten students is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Does the child follow multi-step directions?*
  • 2. Can the child listen to and understand stories?*
  • 3. Does the child understand a simple conversation?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 4. Does the child use pronouns correctly?*
  • 5. Is the child able to retell a story or talk about something they did in the past?*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 6. Does the child speak clearly enough so that most people understand what they say?*
  • 7. Does the child produce all of the following sounds clearly: m, b, p, t, d, n, k, g, s, z, sh, ch, j, l, r?*
  • 8. Does the child have a closed mouth resting posture (nasal breathing, not mouth breathing)?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 9. Does the child engage in meaningful, reciprocal conversations with peers and adults, demonstrating listening and appropriate turn-taking?*
  • 10. Can the child interpret and respond to nonverbal cues from others, including subtle social signals?*

  • Section 5: Narrative Skills

  • 11. Can the child tell detailed and well-structured stories with a beginning, middle, and end?*
  • 12. Can the child interpret stories, discussing the motives and emotions of characters, and making connections to personal experiences?*

  • Speech & Language Screener for 1st Grade Students

    The language screener for 1st grade students is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Can the child follow multi-step directions in both the home and school settings?*
  • 2. Does the child understand Wh questions (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How)?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 3. Can the child tell and retell stories that make sense?*
  • 4. Does the child use most parts of speech, or grammar, correctly?*
  • 5. Does the child ask and answer who, what, when, where, and why questions?*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 6. Does the child speak clearly enough so that anyone can understand them?*
  • 7. Does the child produce the following sounds accurately in conversational speech: m, b, p, t, d, n, s, z, l, r, sh, ch, j, th?*
  • 8. Does the child have a closed mouth resting posture (nasal breathing, not mouth breathing)?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 9. Does the child engage in meaningful, reciprocal conversations with peers and adults, demonstrating active listening and appropriate turn-taking?*
  • 10. Can the child participate effectively in group discussions, express their ideas clearly, and respond to questions and comments from others?*

  • Section 5: Narrative Skills

  • 11. Can the child tell extended and well-structured stories?*
  • 12. Can the child analyze and interpret stories and texts, discussing character motivations, themes, and making connections to personal experiences and other texts?*

  • Speech & Language Screener for 2nd Grade Students

    The language screener for 2nd grade students is designed to assess language development milestones and identify potential language delays. Keep in mind that each child develops at their own pace, so this screener is a general guideline and not a definitive diagnosis. The screener includes observations of the child's communication skills in various areas.

  • Section 1: Receptive Language (Understanding)

  • 1. Does the child follow multi-step directions?*
  • 2. Does the child understand direction words, like here, there, over, next to, before, or later?*
  • 3. Does the child answer questions accurately about a second grade-level story?*

  • Section 2: Expressive Language (Speaking)

  • 4. Does the child ask and answer Wh questions correctly (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How)?*
  • 5. Does the child use complex sentences when speaking?*
  • 6. Does the child give directions with 3–4 steps? For example: Explaining how to play a game.*

  • Section 3: Speech Production (Articulation)

  • 7. Is the child's speech consistently clear and intelligible, even in complex discussions or presentations (including but not limited to the following sounds: m, b ,p ,t ,d ,n ,s ,z ,r ,l ,sh, ch, j, th)*
  • 8. Does the child have a closed mouth resting posture (nasal breathing, not mouth breathing)?*

  • Section 4: Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)

  • 9. Can the child navigate group discussions, present ideas coherently, and respond to questions and feedback from others?*
  • 10. Does the child effectively use nonverbal cues, such as gestures, body language, and facial expressions, to enhance their communication and convey emotions?*

  • Section 5: Narrative Skills

  • 11. Does the child use sophisticated vocabulary and figurative language to engage and captivate their audience?*
  • 12. Can the child analyze and interpret complex stories and texts, discussing themes, character development, and making connections to personal experiences and other texts?*
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