What should a speech-language pathologist evaluate if a patient's skills have declined during a refresher?

Evaluating when the exercises in the workbook become challenging is crucial for a speech-language pathologist because it directly reflects the patient’s current abilities and learning needs. If a patient is struggling with the exercises, it may indicate a decline in skills or a need for modification in the therapy approach. Understanding the difficulty level of the exercises helps the therapist assess the patient's progress, identify specific areas where they might need additional support, and adjust treatment plans accordingly. Monitoring these challenges is essential to ensure that the therapy remains effective and tailored to the individual's evolving capabilities.

Looking at the other options, willingness to continue therapy could influence motivation but doesn't provide specific insight into skill level. Evaluating the patient's age and background may offer contextual information, but it does not directly address immediate concerns related to skill decline. Checking if the patient is following instructions can be important, but this shows more about compliance rather than their actual skill level. Hence, understanding the challenges with workbook exercises is a more targeted approach to evaluating skill decline.