This page provides answers to questions that students and parents may have
about speech and language therapy.
- How do I know if my child has a speech and/or language delay or disorder?
- My child has been referred for a speech/language evaluation. What will happen next?
- What do kids work on in speech and language therapy?
- Will my child be missing important academic instruction to attend speech?
- Why is it important to do speech and language homework?
- Will my child always need speech and language therapy?
- I think my child needs speech and language therapy. What should I do?
- Why does my child have a hard time saying certain sounds?
- How can I help my child make progress with their speech/language therapy?
- Why does my child have an annual IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting?
How do I know if my child has a speech and/or language delay or disorder?
As children grow their speech and language development
progresses. Some errors in speech or language are expectected,
especially when children are younger. Typically, students must
be very difficult to understand or have significant delays in
their language (such as grammar, vocabulary, or understanding of
language) to qualify for speech and language services.
My child has been referred for a speech/language evaluation. What will happen next?
After you give written permission for the child to be tested,
testing will begin in the area of concern. For children who have
a hard time with their sounds, articulation or phonology tests
will be used. Some children will also undergo language testing.
All children will have their hearing screened and their oral-
motor skills checked. Then there will be a meeting with parents
to discuss eligibility and possibly IEP goals.
What do kids work on in speech and language therapy?
Speech and language therapy varies, depending on the individual.
Many children work on their speech sounds, or articulation.
Speech and language therapy can also address phonology (classes
of speech sounds), voice, language, and fluency (or stuttering).
Children usually work individually or in small groups.
Will my child be missing important academic instruction to attend speech?
Typically, I work with teachers to find times when the student
won't miss anything important to attend speech and language. We
also schedule speech so that it does not interfere with art, gym,
or other specials.
Why is it important to do speech and language homework?
Children who practice using their corrected speech and language
at home will make faster progress toward their speech and
language goals. In order for a child to learn what we have
worked on in the speech room, s/he must be able to use her/his
skills in the classroom or at home.
Will my child always need speech and language therapy?
Although some children are in speech for a long time, it is
possible for children to meet their speech and language goals and
score high enough on formal tests to "graduate" from speech. Over
10 children "graduated" from speech during the 2008-2009 school
year.
I think my child needs speech and language therapy. What should I do?
The best place to start is to talk to your child's teacher about
your concerns. S/he will place your child's name on a list for
school staff to have a meeting and discuss your child's needs.
Why does my child have a hard time saying certain sounds?
There is no definite cause for articulation or phonological
differences, however some children learn to produce sounds the
wrong way when they are learning how to speak. In speech and
language therapy students learn how to say their sounds correctly
and practice saying those sounds in varying lengths of phrases
and sentences to help them incorporate their sounds into
their everyday speech.
How can I help my child make progress with their speech/language therapy?
It is always very helpful if you practice your child's words with
him/her. When someone is listening to the child practice, that
person can help the child notice when a mistake has been made.
Always have your child repeat a word correctly when he/she has
trouble with it. To work on language goals, you can help your
child correct his/her grammar when it's not quite right.
Introducing new vocabulary words around the home is also very
helpful.
Why does my child have an annual IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting?
Each child has an annual IEP meeting, or a three-year re-
evaluation in order to assess their progress toward their goals,
create new goals, and keep you informed about what the student is
doing in speech and language therapy. It is also a good time to
bring up any concerns you might have about your child's speech
and language. Teachers, parents, the school psychologist, and
the speech/language pathologist are all part of your child's IEP
team. Some students may also be invited to attend their own IEP.