As kids begin heading back to school, some parents may have concerns about their child’s ability to communicate. These may include concerns with speaking, listening, reading, writing, and social interactions. Children may be eligible for treatment in schools by a speech-language pathologist. Here’s what parents should know, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA):
How Speech-Language Pathologists in Schools Help
Speech-language pathologists provide a variety of direct and indirect services, depending on the child’s unique needs. They may work with children alone or in a group setting, inside or outside the classroom. Although most people know that speech-language pathologists work with children on speaking clearly and saying sounds correctly, these clinical professionals also work with children on listening, speaking, reading, writing, social communication, cognitive issues, and feeding and swallowing. Learn more here.
How to Get Started
Parents who have concerns should talk to their child’s teacher or contact the school’s office. If needed, the school will coordinate an evaluation, which may include formal and informal testing, review of work samples, observations, and parent and teacher report. Communication skills are assessed by a speech-language pathologist; hearing concerns are addressed by an audiologist. Additional experts who may conduct an assessment include specialized instructional support personnel such as occupational and physical therapists, school social workers, and school psychologists.
Why Children Are Treated in Schools
Communication problems can affect a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school. A child may have trouble understanding teachers, following directions, or remembering what was taught in class. They may have difficulty answering questions, organizing their thoughts for written responses, or even understanding and recalling the individual sounds that make up words in order to learn to read.
Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders. www.asha.org
