Speech and Language therapy is provided to those students who struggle with speech and language skills.  

"Speech" and "language" skills mean two different things.

What is "Speech"?

"Speech" refers to sound production made by the mouth (our articulators).  Our mouths have articulators such as our tongue, teeth, lips and palates.  These structures work together to form sounds.

For some children, the articulators don't work together properly to form sounds correctly.  Children may omit sounds (leave sound off), substitute sounds, leave off/ simplify syllables in words, or distort sounds.  Your child's difficulty with speech production can make him/her hard to understand.

What is "Language"?  

In speech therapy, we work on receptive language and expressive language therapy.  Receptive language is the language you understand and how you process what is being said to you.  It can include following directions, understanding concepts, and comprehension of classroom content.  Expressive language refers to how you are able to express your ideas to others.  This can include answering questions, having a conversation, asking for help when needed, forming complete sentences with details and appropriate grammar, etc. Expressive language can also include Pragmatic or Social Language skills.  Speech-Language Pathologists work on all language skills within the therapy room and classroom setting.

What else do Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work on?  

SLPs also work with students on speech fluency (using smooth speech) rather than stuttering.  We help students who are non-verbal with alternative ways for them to communicate.  We target voice skills.  Voice can include a student being able to use a clear vocal quality and use a clear and audible voice when communicating needs in the classroom.   Finally, we may work on phonemic awareness skills (sound awareness, rhyme, segmenting and blending, etc) in order to help with reading acquisition skills.