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Speech and Language Support

Speech Language Services

 

Speech disorders are defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as an impairment in the ability to send, receive, process and comprehend verbal, non-verbal and graphic symbol systems.

IDEA includes speech and language pathology as both a related service and as special education, since these services may be required to assist a child with a disability. Speech and language services are considered part of special education in that they are designed to meet the unique needs of the child at no cost to the parents.

Speech-Language Impairment SLI can be a stand-alone diagnosis or a related service and with a different primary disability.

What do we do?

ELIGIBILITY

Speech-language services are available to eligible students to help reduce and/or eliminate speech-language-hearing disabilities. The program is directed at remediation for articulation, voice and fluency disorders, language development, and the refinement of auditory processing skills. 

The process to determine eligibility begins with a referral. A classroom teacher can refer a student by completing the Speech Referral Form. Parents can request a speech evaluation by sending a written request to the Special Education Office. A meeting with a speech-language pathologist will take place to discuss the referral concerns and to determine if a formal evaluation is warranted. 

To determine eligibility for speech-language services an evaluation must first be completed. If a formal evaluation is recommended, the evaluation must consist of documentation of the educational impact of the speech problem. It will include input from the family, classroom teacher, and standardized speech/language testing.

When a child is identified as eligible for speech/language services, an Individual Education Program (IEP) is prepared. The IEP outlines the frequency and goals of the speech-language program.. Questions related to the program should be directed to the speech pathologist in your child’s building. 

SPEECH-LANGUAGE DISMISSAL CRITERIA

A student will no longer receive direct speech and language services if one of the following is determined by the IEP team:

• The disability no longer adversely affects academics, as agreed upon by school personnel.

• The student’s lack of motivation and participation prevents measurable progress toward meeting his/her goals.

• The student’s progress has plateaued, demonstrated by a documented lack of measurable progress despite implementation of a variety of strategies and techniques.

• The student has health issues (i.e., medical, dental, emotional issues) requiring services to be suspended or discontinued.

• The student has met all of his/her goals and objectives.

ASHA Typical Speech and Language Development

 

ASHA Developmental Norms

ASHA - The American Speech-Language Hearing Association is the national organization for speech-lanugage pathologists and audiologists.