What is Speech & Language?

Speech

Articulation: The actual physical production of speech sounds. An articulation problem occurs when a child has difficulty pronouncing sounds. (Example: a lisp)

Fluency (Stuttering): The smoothness with which sounds, syllables, words, and phrases are joined in oral language.

Language

Expressive Language: How a person expresses language. (Example: speaking and writing)

Receptive Language: How a person understands language. (Example: listening, following instructions, reading)

Receptive and Expressive language may be divided into the following three areas:

• semantics (vocabulary)
• syntax (grammar)
• pragmatics (social skills)              

What a Speech-Language Pathologist Does:

• Receives referrals from schools for services.
• Evaluates and identifies students with speech and/or language problems.
• Plans activities to improve students' speaking, listening, and other language skills.  
• Monitors and documents the effectiveness of treatment and student progress.
• Writes reports.     

CASELOAD CONSIDERATIONS

• Severity of the speech or language problem
• Effect of the problem on a student’s school performance
• Developmental Stage of the problem
• Relationship of the Problem to other conditions (e.g. hearing loss, mental retardation, learning disabilities, physical or other health impairments
• Type of service – individual, small or large group, consultation, classroom support
• Other services student receives