A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) helps people of all ages affected by communication disorders and delays. SLPs in the school setting assess and support students with a wide range of communication difficulties, including:

• Speech and articulation delays and disorders (how we say sounds and put them together into words)
• Fluency- improving the flow of speech. A stutter may sound like repeated words or sounds, pauses, or getting stuck on a word or sound.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication- methods of communication to replace or supplement verbal speech. This may include gestures, pictures, or high-tech devices such as an iPad
• Receptive & Expressive Language- understanding of what we hear and read (receptive language) and use of language to express our thoughts, feelings, needs, and ideas (expressive language)
• Social communication skills, including things like understanding how to have a conversation, non-verbal communication, and understanding other people's perspectives
• Voice quality (how our voice sounds and how we use our voices)
• Early literacy skills, such a rhyming and blending & segmenting sounds & syllable
  

What are some signs that a student may have a speech or language difficulty?

-       Speech (sounds & using sounds in words)

o   The student has difficulty being understood by peers, parents, or teachers

o   The student is getting frustrated or being teased about how they talk

o   If you have concerns about a particular sound, these are some general expectations:

  By the end of Kindergarten: All sounds expected except: r, s, z (a frontal lisp can be considered developmental), ch, sh, j, v, th, zh

  By the end of Grade 1: All sounds expected except: r, th, zh

  By the end of Grade 2: All sounds are expected to be accurate.

-        Language (understanding and use of language)

o   Compared to peers, the student has difficulty with:

•   Understanding or remembering instructions compared to peers
•   Understanding of concepts
•   Limited vocabulary
•   Clearly expressing thoughts & ideas
•   Telling a cohesive story
•   Making inferences, prediction, or conclusions
•   Grammatical errors
  
•   Conversation skills, including turn taking, topic maintenance, understanding perspectives, nonverbal skills (personal space, understanding and using gestures and facial expressions)

o   In the older grades, this may look like difficulties with learning & using vocabulary, managing classroom demands, difficulties with peer relationships, solving problems, making connections within information

Referral Process:

-       Parents: Please discuss any concerns with your child's classroom teacher.

-       Teachers: After connecting with parents, teachers can bring the child's name forward to the School Based Team or to the school's SLP to discuss.

** If a formal referral is recommended, a referral form is completed and sent home for a signature. Parent/guardian consent is required to initiate a Speech-Language Referral**

What does Speech-Language support look like?

-       Assessment- this may include a variety of informal (e.g., observation, checklists) and/or formal (e.g., standardized assessment tools) measures.

-       Screening- The school's SLP may do a brief screen with all incoming kindergarten students to help inform supports.

-       Following assessment, a plan will be made to best support the student. This could include:

-       Discharge from SLP services if no support is recommended

-       Monitoring the student's progress

-       Providing strategies for home & school

-       Collaborating and consulting with parents, teachers, and other school personnel

-       The SLP or SLA (Speech-Language Assistant) may provide services in the classroom, in a small group, or individually