What is one of the purposes of assessment in speech therapy?

The purpose of assessment in speech therapy is fundamentally centered on understanding the individual’s current communication abilities and needs. By identifying the skills that a person possesses as well as those that may be lacking, clinicians can develop targeted interventions that address specific areas of difficulty. This identification process is crucial for creating appropriate treatment plans tailored to the individual's needs, ensuring that therapy is effective and meaningful.

This focus on skill identification plays a vital role in determining baseline performance levels, which can be measured over time to assess progress and inform adjustments to therapy as needed. Establishing a clear understanding of a person's strengths and weaknesses forms the foundation for effective therapeutic strategies and helps in setting achievable goals.

Other options do not align with the core purpose of assessment in speech therapy. Grading students is more about evaluating academic performance rather than assessing communication skills. Preventing communication contradicts the essence of speech therapy, which aims to enhance communication abilities. Enforcing rules is unrelated to the assessment process, which is more focused on understanding and facilitating communication than policing behavior.