SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SCREENING
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Screening at your school with GLEAM.
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INTRODUCING OUR SCREENING TOOL
GLEAM
Guided Language and Evaluation Matrix
At the heart of every child’s success is their ability to communicate confidently. That’s where GLEAM (Guided Language and Evaluation Matrix) comes in—a friendly, innovative tool designed to spot speech and language needs early, helping kids (3-6 years) shine. Whether it’s chatting with friends or following classroom instructions, GLEAM partners with you and your child’s school to ensure every child gets the right support, right when they need it.
What GLEAM assesses
GLEAM looks at seven key areas to understand how your 3–6-year-old is communicating, ensuring we spot strengths and any areas needing a boost. Here’s what we check and why it matters for your child’s learning and confidence at school.
Attention & Listening
Good listening helps kids follow instructions and learn. We check if your child focuses during activities, like looking at a storybook, or gets distracted. Teachers note if they struggle to sit still or respond to directions, while we watch their reactions (e.g., engaged or restless). This tells us if they need simple strategies, like shorter tasks, or support like an occupational therapy referral for attention challenges, setting them up for classroom success.
Social Skills
We observe how your child interacts, like sharing toys or taking turns talking, which shows how they connect with others. Polite, friendly kids might still struggle with subtle social cues, so we ask teachers about behaviours like shyness or limited engagement. Parents share home observations. This helps our speech pathologists suggest ways to build social confidence, such as peer games, or flag further checks if needed.
Semantics
Word Meaning
Semantics is about understanding and using words, like naming objects or actions . We ask kids to name nouns and verbs, group items, and link objects to actions. We check differences (e.g., apple vs. orange). Parents and teachers share if words come easily at home or school. Our speech pathologists use standard guides to see if kids are on track, recommending activities like word games if they need a boost.
Comprehension
Understanding
Understanding is key to following stories or instructions. We test if kids can follow simple directions and answer questions. Teachers note if they struggle with class directions, and parents share home listening habits. Compared to standard benchmarks (like the CELF test), this helps us suggest supports, like visual aids, or further checks for language difficulties.
Narrative
Storytelling
Telling stories shows how kids organise thoughts. We ask them to retell a fun story, like Jack & the Beanstalk, looking at who, what, where, and when elements they include. We note their word and grammar use and effort, keeping it simple. If kids struggle, our speech pathologists might suggest story games or group therapy to spark their imagination.
Early Literacy
Sound Play
This is about hearing and playing with sounds, like rhyming or clapping syllables. We use playful tasks to see if kids notice sounds, which helps with reading later. We check our observations against standard expectations. If kids need help, we suggest rhyming songs or small groups, especially if speech delays might affect literacy.
Speech
Talking Clearly
Clear speech helps kids be understood. We test if kids say sounds like “p”, “s”, or “k” in words and check how clear their talking is. We look for delays, like trouble with “s” at 5, which could affect reading. Teachers note unclear speech in class, and parents share home talking. If there’s a concern, we might suggest speech therapy or a GP referral for other issues, ensuring kids communicate confidently.
What makes GLEAM Different
Unlike traditional tools which often miss subtle needs in diverse settings, GLEAM is designed for differences. Our speech pathologists use local insights, parent and teacher feedback, and culturally sensitive tasks to ensure every child’s communication journey is understood. GLEAM doesn’t just screen—it connects with your child’s world, recommending supports like classroom strategies or NDIS-funded therapies that fit their needs.
Tailored for Your Community
While many screens struggle with tasks too easy or too hard, GLEAM aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum and well-regarded milestone expectations to assess for purpose. We share simple strategies with teachers, like story retell games, to boost skills in class, and offer therapy for targeted support. GLEAM helps schools build inclusive classrooms where every child thrives, without judgment
Aligned with School Success
GLEAM isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist. Building on key frameworks, it provides rich data—speech, language, behaviour, and more—for our skilled speech pathologists to interpret. By combining standard milestones with real-life context, like how your child engages in class or at home, GLEAM ensures recommendations are personalised, whether it’s therapy, classroom support or a referral to your GP, Speech, OT or the NDIS, we consider your needs.
Speech Pathologist Led
GLEAM goes beyond identifying delays—it’s about preventing challenges before they grow. GLEAM flags early signs, like speech delays that could affect literacy, and suggests proactive steps, such as phonological awareness activities. By tracking progress with tools like NAPLAN and ABS, we help ensure long-term success for kids in Pre-Kindy to Pre-Primary, keeping families and schools ahead of the curve.
Prevention Over Cure
Frequently asked questions
GLEAM (Guided Language and Evaluation Matrix) is a friendly screening tool that checks how 3–6-year-olds (Pre-Kindy to Pre-Primary) are developing their speech and language skills. Used at schools, it helps our speech pathologists recommend the right support, from classroom activities to NDIS-funded therapies, tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Our speech pathologists and trained therapy assistants spend 20-30 minutes with your child in class, doing fun activities like naming pictures or retelling stories. Parents complete a quick 5-minute survey about language background and health, while teachers share observations. GLEAM combines this info to give our speech pathologists a full picture, ensuring recommendations are just right for your child
No, GLEAM is not diagnostic—it’s a starting point. GLEAM uses milestones to understand 3-6-year-olds development, but they’re not the whole picture. Our speech pathologists use GLEAM’s data, like how your child speaks or behaves, to suggest next steps, like extra class support, referral for further assessment, a check by your doctor, or NDIS if there are clear concerns, like severe delays
Absolutely! Perth is diverse, with over 20% non-English-speaking families (NESB). GLEAM uses your child’s background, like languages spoken at home, to avoid biases found in standard tests. We respect your child’s unique experience while ensuring they have the skills needed for school success.
If GLEAM spots a potential need, our speech pathologists might suggest simple strategies for teachers and parents, like rhyming games, or therapy with us. For significant concerns, like severe speech and language delays, we’ll guide you to NDIS for support, especially for complex issues. You’ll get a clear, parent-friendly report to keep you in the loop.
GLEAM looks at the whole class to spot trends, like how many children struggle with story questions or rhyming skills. We share easy tips with teachers, like using picture books to boost skills, matched to the Western Australian Curriculum. It’s about creating inclusive classrooms where kids’ needs are picked up earlier, helping everyone learn better.
Early screening catches speech or language needs before they affect learning or confidence. While severe issues are often spotted by age 3, subtle ones, like language difficulties or social difficulties, can show up later in Kindy. GLEAM helps us act early, ensuring your child gets the support they need to shine.
If GLEAM spots a potential need, our speech pathologists might suggest simple strategies for teachers, like rhyming games, or therapy with us. For significant concerns, like severe speech and language delays, we’ll guide you to NDIS for support, especially for complex issues. You’ll get a clear, parent-friendly report to keep you in the loop.
