Modifications in the Classroom
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children are eligible to receive speech-language pathology and audiology services. These " services may include speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or any other related service as stated in IDEA" (North Carolina Department of Public Instruction [NCDPI], 2006).
- A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can be used as a related service to assist a child in meeting the IEP goals. A SLP is not necessarily involved in direct service delivery as daily living environments like the classroom setting are better for carrying out communication goals. The SLP room must be in an area of the school that will ensure privacy and confidentiality. Each SLP should have access to "current evaluation and instructional materials" (NCDPI, 2006).
- Multiple types of assistive technologies my be employed in order to facilitate speech and language development for children (Skau & Cascella, 2006).
provides children with a visual representation of spoken words. A resource that can be used to learn more about using sign language is
http://www.lifeprint.com (Skau & Cascella, 2006).
• Picture boards can allow children to see and hear words at the same time. Children with speech and language disorders can use picture
boards to perform such tasks as labeling and choosing objects, directing actions, requesting help, and describing objects and emotions
(Skau & Cascella, 2006).
• Vocal output devices can allow children to speak with others at the touch of a button. These devices can have prerecorded messages that
can be designated for a class activity or for indicating what the child wants or need (Skau & Cascella, 2006).
Study Skills and Homework Strategies
- Turn off the television and phone while working on schoolwork. While children may find these devices to be fun, they tend to decrease a child's focus and performance.
- Find a note-taking strategy that works and sticky with it. Taking better notes means having better notes for completing homework and studying. When possible, obtain lesson transcripts from teachers.
- When possible, sit near the front of the room. This ensures that you can pay attention during class, which will result in more material learned.
- When possible, do classwork with a classmate. All students have something that they can learn from each other, and working together can serve as a means of developing a plan to work around speech and language impairments.
- Make friends with other students with speech and language impairments. This can allow you the opportunity to be a mentor for someone else by sharing your experiences as well as gaining more access to useful resources.
IEPs / 504 Plan
Under IDEA, children with speech and language impairments are eligible for an IEP (United States Department of Education [USDOE], 2004). IEP goals can be used to address articulation, language, fluency, and/or voice.
Finding a School
- The Atlanta Speech School is the oldest educational center in the Southeast designed for students with speech, language, hearing, and learning disabilities. This school annually serves 1,800 students and offers services for children of various ages. One of these services is an early intervention program for preschoolers called Stepping Stones, which is designated for children between the ages of three and five that have speech and language delays. The Atlanta Speech School also offers a Speech-Language Pathology Clinic that works with children and adults in either the community or in the school setting.
- George Washington University's Summer Apraxia Camp took place in Washington, DC, during the summer of 2012 for children with apraxia. This camp incorporated treating apraxia with multiple modes. Children can receive treatments in settings ranging from individual to groups of ten. Children receive treatment from graduate level clinicians and certified speech-language pathologists.
- The Speech Garden Institute in Charlotte, NC, seeks to help families through the development of communication skills, with emphasis on speech-language therapy that is based in the classroom. The Speech Garden Institute offers two service that are useful for students with speech-language disorders.
as well as two interns in speech-language pathology. Class size is capped for preschoolers at 12 children and for kindergartners at 15
children. Preschoolers are in class three days each week while kindergartners are in school five days each week.
• The Speech Garden Summer Camp is designed for children from age 3 to fifth grade. Among the children this program is geared toward
are those diagnosed with speech-language disorders, including apraxia. This camp places emphasis on teaching students within a classroom
setting. This camp also makes sure to send daily newsletters to parents that detail the daily goals and activities.