Speech/Language Pathologists (SLP’s) work with students who display a wide range of speech and language disorders that impact their ability to interact with peers and adults as well as successfully meet the challenges of the academic curriculum. Clinicians assist students in improving receptive and expressive language abilities, as well as speech production and intelligibility, which may impact on learning and interpersonal communication. SLP’s work collaboratively with teachers and other related service staff to assist students in their ability to participate in school activities and curricula, as well as involving parents in the treatment process. In addition, oral motor abilities are a focus in order to improve speech production and feeding skills.
Many students display complex communication needs and require augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) systems. These may be simple communication boards, eye point displays and low-level voice output devices or more sophisticated computer based AAC devices. Emphasis is placed on the integration of the student’s AAC systems into both the social and academic school environments. SLP’s work with teachers to assure the availability of programmed vocabulary for classroom lessons. In addition, the SLP’s work alongside PT’s and OT’s to assist the students in accessing their devices using appropriately placed switches and wheelchair mounts for their devices.