Speech and Language Tips for Parents

 Grades 3-5

Keep your child reading. Find books and magazines that interest your child. Ask your child what they think about what they hear or read. Connect what they read to events in their life. Help your child connect what they read and hear at school, home, and other events. Talk out loud as you help your child read and solve problems. Help your child recognize spelling patterns. For example, point out the beginning and endings of words, like "pre-" or "–ed." Get your child to write letters, keep a diary, and write stories.

 https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/suggestions 

Speech and Language Tips for Parents

 Middle & High School

General Strategies

• Clear and concise language: Use simple sentence structure and avoid jargon when giving instructions or explaining concepts.

• Visual supports: Employ visual aids like diagrams, pictures, charts, and presentations to enhance understanding.

• Gesturing and facial expressions: Incorporate non-verbal cues to emphasize key points.

• Active listening: Give students your full attention, maintain eye contact, and provide verbal feedback like "I understand.”

• Positive reinforcement: Offer praise and encouragement for participation and effort.

• Small group activities: Facilitate discussions in smaller groups to allow for more individual participation.

Addressing Specific Speech Challenges:

Articulation difficulties:

Encourage slow and deliberate speech.

Fluency issues:

Practice speaking in a relaxed manner.

Provide opportunities to practice in low-pressure situations.

Focus on WHAT the person is saying and not HOW it is being said.

Language comprehension challenges:

Rephrase complex instructions or questions.

Provide written summaries or key points.

Encourage clarifying questions.

PGCPS Individualized Education Program Parent Survey. This survey is intended to gather insights and feedback from families regarding your experience and overall satisfaction with their child's IEP process and implementation. After attending their child’s IEP meeting, you will receive a link to complete the survey.

Should a parent/guardian want or need further information and/or support, they can contact the PGCPS Family Support Center at 301-431-5675.                                                                 IEP Parent Survey Link

Parents and Guardians,

The Office of Special Education Support Programs and Related Services welcomes you to another school year! As you prepare your students for a successful school year, here are some resources and tips that may be helpful to you.

Special Olympics

Students aged eight (8) and above, who are in Adapted Physical Education classes, can participate in our school-based Special Olympics Program. If your student is in a Special Education Program, not an Adapted Physical Education class, they can participate through our Community-Based Special Olympics Program. All students in our ten (10) Regional School Programs participate in our MATP (Motor Ability Training Program) Challenge Day activity.  This allows them to participate in a Special Olympics Program.

For more information:

Contact your Adapted PE (APE) teacher for more details. Students will need to complete medical documents that the APE teacher can give you for your child to participate in school-based and community-based programs. Patricia Miles is our Special Olympics Area Director and can be contacted at pgcspecialolympics@gmail.com.

Can your child see the board in class? 

Back to School Eye Care

Prioritize your children’s eye care. There are resources to help with exams and glasses. Many optometry clinics (Visionworks, America’s Best, My Eye Doctor, Walmart, LensCrafters) offer specials on exams/glasses for children during back-to-school time.

For more information:

·         Prepare for Back to School with an Eye Exam

·         Prince George’s County’s Kaiser Care for Kids program provides free eye exams and discounted glasses to uninsured children who live in Prince George’s County. Locations:  425 Brightseat Road, Suite 101C Landover, Maryland. 301-324-2925 

·         Hispanic Institute for Blindness Prevention, Inc. Assists with vision screening and low-cost eyeglasses the first Wednesday of every month from 3-6 PM at St. Bernard’s Church, 5700 St. Bernard’s Drive in Riverdale, Maryland.  202-736-1015  Ventanilla de Salud.pdf