Have you been diagnosed with a Speech or Language Impairment? You're not alone! Studies show that over 1 million students were diagnosed as having a Speech or Language Impairment within the 2005-2006 school year.(NICHYC, 2012) Sometimes having an SLI can be frustrating or discouraging because it makes talking with your friends, family, or teachers a bit more complicated. But the skills that you have and will acquire as a result of your speech differences are skills that will make you not only a successful communicator, but a successful friend, student, thinker, professional and global citizen. As an individual with an SLI, there are countless resources at your disposal. Here is an outline of all of the resources and opportunities made available to you.
Know Your Rights!
If you have been diagnosed with a disability that is recognized within the IDEA(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) you are eligible for free therapies and accommodations within your public school, by law! If you are eligible for such accommodations or resources, you likely have what is called an IEP, or an Individualized Education Plan, that lays out any accommodations, therapies, or modifications that you may need. If you are not receiving such resources or accommodations, or you would like to discuss changing your IEP, it is your right to call a meeting with your IEP team(which consists of you, your parents, at least one special education professional, at least one general education professional, and a representative who can correctly interpret any disability evaluation results) to modify your IEP or ensure that you are receiving the proper resources. A full and exhaustive list of your rights can be found beneath the "Resources" heading below.
Study Skills, Homework Strategies, and General Tips
1. While completing your homework, turn off the television and your phone! Both devices, while fun and useful, will decrease your focus and performance.
2. Develop a note-taking strategy, both during homework and school hours, that works best for you and stick with it.(ehow.com, for above too)
3. Ask your teachers if they can provide you with transcripts of their lectures.
4. Sit as close to the front of the room as possible.
5. For large projects ask your teacher if, instead of a lengthy oral presentation, you may write a paper, create a video, or some other form of presentation that allows you to utilize many of your other strengths.
OR
If you're feeling gutsy, CHALLENGE YOURSELF! Do your best to tackle an oral presentation!
OR
If you're feeling courageous but still have a little apprehension, ask your teacher if you can deliver an oral presentation to only the teacher, or a limited number of students.
6. Find a study buddy! You have intellectual gifts and skills that far outweigh any troubles you may have with communication, and others in your class can benefit from your knowledge and skills. So find a study buddy to do homework and study with. Friends can help compliment each others' strengths and weaknesses.
7. If you receive speech therapy at school or at a private medical facility, be sure to practice your exercises daily at home. Maybe you have a brother, sister, or friend that needs to practice other exercises, instruments, skills. Help each other out by holding one another accountable to regular practice!
8. Odds are, there are plenty of other students at your skill or within your community that have speech or language impairments. So start a support group where you can get together, share stories and experiences, share resources, and help others with similar communication impairments.
OR
If there aren't many kids with speech or language impairments in your community,with your parents permission, start a Facebook group for students with speech impairments. Social Media is a great way to connect to countless people, so why not use it to connect to people who know what its like to struggle with a speech disorder? Just remember to be smart and be safe!
2. Develop a note-taking strategy, both during homework and school hours, that works best for you and stick with it.(ehow.com, for above too)
3. Ask your teachers if they can provide you with transcripts of their lectures.
4. Sit as close to the front of the room as possible.
5. For large projects ask your teacher if, instead of a lengthy oral presentation, you may write a paper, create a video, or some other form of presentation that allows you to utilize many of your other strengths.
OR
If you're feeling gutsy, CHALLENGE YOURSELF! Do your best to tackle an oral presentation!
OR
If you're feeling courageous but still have a little apprehension, ask your teacher if you can deliver an oral presentation to only the teacher, or a limited number of students.
6. Find a study buddy! You have intellectual gifts and skills that far outweigh any troubles you may have with communication, and others in your class can benefit from your knowledge and skills. So find a study buddy to do homework and study with. Friends can help compliment each others' strengths and weaknesses.
7. If you receive speech therapy at school or at a private medical facility, be sure to practice your exercises daily at home. Maybe you have a brother, sister, or friend that needs to practice other exercises, instruments, skills. Help each other out by holding one another accountable to regular practice!
8. Odds are, there are plenty of other students at your skill or within your community that have speech or language impairments. So start a support group where you can get together, share stories and experiences, share resources, and help others with similar communication impairments.
OR
If there aren't many kids with speech or language impairments in your community,with your parents permission, start a Facebook group for students with speech impairments. Social Media is a great way to connect to countless people, so why not use it to connect to people who know what its like to struggle with a speech disorder? Just remember to be smart and be safe!
Games and Activities for At-Home Speech Therapy
1. "Guess Who" is a simple board game that can be purchased at any toy store and is reasonably priced. This easy to use board game is perfect for working on articulation skills, posing and responding to questions, and improving verbal description skills. (Speech-Language-Development.com, 2012)
2. "Go Fish" is one of the most beloved card games around! Requiring only two people, it is perfect for improving articulation skills, development of vocabulary, and use of verbal descriptors. (Speech-Language-Development.com, 2012)
3. Beneath the the "Resources" heading below are a few link to online and virtual speech therapy games and activities!
2. "Go Fish" is one of the most beloved card games around! Requiring only two people, it is perfect for improving articulation skills, development of vocabulary, and use of verbal descriptors. (Speech-Language-Development.com, 2012)
3. Beneath the the "Resources" heading below are a few link to online and virtual speech therapy games and activities!
People You May Know
King George VIKing George VI, former King of England and father of the current Queen of Elizabeth II, had a severe stutter and is the inspiration behind the film "The King's Speech." As the King of England, King George VI was required to make several influential speeches. Following a horrid experience delivering a single speech, King George sought the help of a quirky speech therapist. Utilizing less than conventional tactics, King George was able to overcome his struggle with stuttering and delivered one of the most influential speeches of World War II. The audio of this speech can be found at this address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkMyKGx7TQ
|
Dick ClarkDick Clark was diagnosed with Dysarthria after having a stroke.
Dick Clark was a famous radio and television personality. After his stroke he continued to host television programs, including the coverage of New Year's Eve in Time's Square, until his death. |
Resources
In Depth Overview of Rights and Provisions Afforded to Children with Disabilities:
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
Get Connected to children with Speech and Language Impairments Accross the Globe:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Association-for-Children-with-Language-Speech-and-Hearing-Impairments/144649785588873
Speech Therapy Activities from SpeechTX:
http://www.speechtx.com
Free virtual speech therapy:
http://www.tinyeye.com/TinyEYE-Virtual-Homework/Free-Online-Speech-Therapy-Homework-For-SLPs.php
Speech Therapy Activities for Teens:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6121311_speech-therapy-activities-adolescents.html
Group Speech Therapy Activities for Teens:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6572247_speech-therapy-group-activities-teens.html
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
Get Connected to children with Speech and Language Impairments Accross the Globe:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Association-for-Children-with-Language-Speech-and-Hearing-Impairments/144649785588873
Speech Therapy Activities from SpeechTX:
http://www.speechtx.com
Free virtual speech therapy:
http://www.tinyeye.com/TinyEYE-Virtual-Homework/Free-Online-Speech-Therapy-Homework-For-SLPs.php
Speech Therapy Activities for Teens:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6121311_speech-therapy-activities-adolescents.html
Group Speech Therapy Activities for Teens:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6572247_speech-therapy-group-activities-teens.html