Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) at Center School is an educational service that supports students with challenges with communication, speech, language, cognitive communication, and related language disorders. The primary goal of SLT in schools is to help students develop effective communication skills, improve their language abilities, build executive function skills, and overcome any barriers impacting their academic and social success. A certified Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) provides consultation, assessment, and therapeutic intervention.
Purpose of Speech Therapy:
Identification and Assessment
Our speech and language pathologist works with teachers, parents, and other professionals to identify and evaluate students to determine their speech, language, cognitive communication, and overall communication profile, including strengths, differences, and relative challenges.
Individualized Treatment
Once a student is identified, our speech and language pathologist collaborates with the student, their teachers, parents, and other related professionals to generate goals and interventions.
Therapeutic Interventions
Various techniques and interventions are used to address communication differences and challenges. All interventions are individually tailored to the student. As a part of therapy, there is continued collaboration between the speech and language pathologist, the student, and their team.
Areas of Speech, Language and Cognitive Communication that can be addressed:
- Fluency
- Speech Production: Articulation, motor planning and execution, phonological
- Language: Listening, processing, speaking, reading, writing, and pragmatics
- Cognition: Attention, memory, problem-solving, execution function
- Voice and Resonance
- Auditory Habilitation and Rehabilitation
Center School’s Speech and Language Therapist Provides:
Collaboration
Working closely with teachers, staff, parents, and other professionals to ensure a student's therapy goals are aligned with their educational objectives. Regular communication and collaboration help integrate therapy into the student's academic experience.
Group and Individual Sessions
Conducted one-on-one or in small groups, depending on the needs of the students. Group sessions can also provide opportunities for peer interaction and social communication. Push in and pull out services are both utilized depending upon the student’s individual plan.
Progress Monitoring
Progress monitoring is an essential component of speech and language therapy. Our therapist tracks the student's progress and adjusts the treatment plan to ensure optimal results.
Transition Planning
As students make gains and progress, the amount of support and goals of services will change accordingly. The goal is to ensure that the skills acquired during speech therapy are carried over effectively in everyday life.
Multi-disciplinary Approach
The speech-language pathologist often collaborates with other professionals, such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, and psychologists, to provide comprehensive support for students.
Student Benefits:
Enhanced Communication Skills
Improved ability to express thoughts, understand others, and engage in social interactions.
Academic Improvement
Better communication skills can lead to a better understanding of educational content and classroom participation.
Increased Confidence
Overcoming communication barriers can boost a student’s self-esteem and social interactions.
Overall, SLT contributes to creating a supportive educational environment where all students can develop effective communication skills and succeed academically and socially.
