What Are Probes?
Probes are standardized assessment sessions designed to measure a client's current skill level under controlled conditions. Unlike therapy sessions where you actively teach and provide support, probes measure performance without intervention to get an accurate picture of independent ability.
Probe data is essential for establishing baselines, measuring generalization, and making data-driven decisions about when to modify goals or discharge a client.
Types of Probes
Articulation Probes
Measure target phoneme accuracy across word positions and contexts:
- Initial position - Target sound at the beginning of words
- Medial position - Target sound in the middle of words
- Final position - Target sound at the end of words
- Blends - Target sound in consonant clusters
- Sentence level - Target sound in connected speech
- Conversational level - Target sound in spontaneous conversation
Each probe uses a consistent set of stimuli so results are comparable across sessions. You can use Cocovox's built-in word lists or create custom stimuli sets for specific phoneme targets.
Language Probes
Assess receptive and expressive language skills across domains:
- Receptive vocabulary - Understanding of word meanings
- Expressive vocabulary - Word retrieval and usage
- Syntax - Sentence structure and grammar
- Morphology - Use of word endings and affixes
- Narrative skills - Story retelling and generation
- Following directions - Multi-step instruction comprehension
Fluency Probes
Measure stuttering frequency and severity across speaking contexts:
- Syllables stuttered - Percentage of syllables with disfluencies
- Disfluency types - Repetitions, prolongations, blocks
- Secondary behaviors - Observable physical tension or avoidance
- Speaking rate - Words or syllables per minute
- Naturalness rating - Overall speech naturalness on a clinical scale
Setting Up Probes
Select Probe Type and Targets
Choose the probe category (articulation, language, or fluency) and specify your targets. For articulation, select the phonemes and word positions. For language, choose the skill domain. For fluency, select the measurement parameters.
Configure Stimuli and Scoring Criteria
Choose from built-in stimuli sets or create custom ones. Set your scoring criteria, including what counts as correct, the minimum number of trials, and any special considerations for the client.
Run Probe with Automatic Data Recording
Present stimuli and score each response. Cocovox records every trial with a timestamp and calculates running accuracy in real time. Remember: probes measure independent performance, so avoid providing cues or feedback during the probe.
Review Results and Compare to Baselines
After the probe, review the results summary. Cocovox automatically compares current performance to your baseline data and any previous probes, highlighting changes in accuracy.
Probe Targets
Configure specific targets for each probe type:
- Phoneme targets - Select individual phonemes (e.g., /s/, /r/, /l/) and specify word positions to assess
- Language structures - Target specific grammatical forms, vocabulary sets, or comprehension skills
- Fluency parameters - Define measurement criteria including sample length and disfluency counting rules
Saved probe configurations can be reused across sessions for consistent measurement.
Data Analysis
Trend Lines
View probe results plotted over time with trend lines showing the direction and rate of change. Trend visualization helps you quickly identify whether a client is making progress, plateauing, or regressing.
Baseline Comparisons
Every probe result is compared against the established baseline. The system highlights statistically meaningful changes so you can distinguish genuine progress from normal session-to-session variability.
Criterion-Referenced Scoring
Set criterion levels (e.g., 80% accuracy across 3 consecutive probes) and track progress toward meeting criterion. The system indicates when a client has met criterion so you can make informed decisions about goal modification or discharge.
