Have you ever struggled to diagnose an English language learner because you aren’t sure if it’s a difference or a disorder? Many SLPs struggle with this because we don’t want to be wrong about a diagnosis just because our student is learning the English language. The most effective way for us to really understand our ELLs is to use dynamic assessments and language sampling instead of standardized tests. In today’s episode of SLP Coffee Talk, I sat down with Nia Thomas to talk about how you can use dynamic assessments to determine if your students really have a speech disorder or if it’s just a difference. Nia Thomas is a school-based bilingual speech-language pathologist, educator, and storyteller from NYC. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders and Black Studies. She went on to obtain her Master’s in Science from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. A two-time Writing Our Lives alumni, Nia has written for Bustle, Remezcla, Fierce by Mitú, ASHA Leader Live, and other online publications. She is also the founder and editor of Bilingual Speech Resources. Tune in to learn about why dynamic assessments and language samples are so much more effective with ELL students, tools and resources you can use, and so much more. Full show notes available at www.speechtimefun.com/127 Resources Mentioned: Visit Nia’s website: https://www.bilingualspeechresources.com/ Follow Nia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bilingualspeechresources/ Check out The Bilingual Speech Resources TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bilingual-Speech-Resources Leaders Project free CEU: https://www.leadersproject.org/ceu-courses-2/evidence-based-practice-in-disability-evaluations-asha-0-6-ceu-self-study-course/ Leaders Project Slam Cards: https://www.leadersproject.org/?s=slam+cards Sign up for the virtual Speech Retreat: ​​https://speechtimefunpd.mykajabi.com/speech-retreat-recharge