Speech Services

Speech Language Services

Speech Language Services are provided by a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in accordance with The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for school-age children with communication disorders that adversely affect a child’s educational performance. SLP’s evaluate and treat students who have communication problems that may affect their performance in learning, literacy, classroom activities and social interactions. Students that are eligible to receive services may have a variety of disabilities including autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD), learning disabilities or delays or disorders in expressive or receptive language, articulation or fluency (e.g. stuttering). SLP’s in the schools assess and treat a student’s communication skills, identify students at risk for later problems and collaborate with classroom teachers or other professionals that may be involved with a student. Areas treated by SLP’s include speech (articulation, phonology, voice, fluency, apraxia), receptive language (understanding of language), expressive language (usage of language), cognition (e.g. attention, memory, executive functioning, problem solving) and pragmatic language (social skills).

A student may be placed in speech after comprehensive testing with the recommendation of a speech therapist and the Committee on Special Education (CSE). Speech services are delivered in various methods based on a student’s needs and in accordance with their IEP or 504 and may include: small group or individual sessions, classroom based services, consulting, monitoring or periodic screening. SLP’s work collaboratively with classroom teachers and other school professionals to combine communication goals with academic and social goals, integrate classroom objectives and support reading and writing. A main goal of speech is to work on improving a student’s communication skills which can improve their participation in the classroom and their understanding of classroom instruction. In addition, speech services can help students with special needs to develop and maintain relationships.

For additional information or references on speech and language please visit the following website: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) https://www.asha.org/