Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and Language therapy is provided to children from birth through their school years as required by state and federal law. Therapy is provided to children who have speech and language impairments. These impairments include children who have difficulties understanding what others are saying to them and children who have difficulty talking or communicating to others. Language impairments may involve difficulties in grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and social skills. Speech impairments may involve articulation (ability to produce sounds correctly), producing sounds, using words to communicate, stuttering, and voice disorders. Speech and Language disabilities may be the only disability the student has or may be related to other disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and various syndromes.

Speech and Language Therapists:

• Work at Highland Pines School which is a centered based program

• Work at each local district school in the county

• Evaluate and diagnose speech and language disorders

• Provide direct therapy services. Services may be provided in a home program, classroom, small group or individual setting

• Develop augmentative/alternative communication systems for nonverbal students using picture boards, assistive devices

• Consult with education staff and parents about students suspected of a speech and language disorder

• Provide support to classroom teachers that have speech and language impaired students.