What Is Speech Therapy?

The demand for Speech-Language Pathologists has continually risen as children and adolescents have benefited vastly from these services. As more students require school-based speech therapy treatment for speech, language, and swallowing disorders, the need for qualified speech therapists has become especially urgent. Speech-Language Pathologists work with children to help them communicate more effectively.

If children cannot articulate themselves during their primary and secondary years, they can develop lifelong learning disabilities. Schools are the optimal environment for Speech Therapy Professionals, Therapy Assistants, Therapists, and other education professionals to administer services to children with speech and swallowing issues and cognitive and communication disorders.

What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do?

When working with lower grades, Speech-Language Pathologists focus on the fundamentals of pronunciation, increasing the collection of letter sounds, enhancing sound production accuracy, and expanding vocabulary and syntax. Speech-Language Pathologists work with students with rhyming games, recreational activities, and imaginary dialogues. Some students gain from utilizing augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC) using symbols or pictures.

When working with secondary students in middle and high school, speech-language pathologists concentrate on increasing vocabulary by using classroom exercises, deciphering advanced words’ morphology, and addressing spelling and grammar skills. Speech-Language Pathologists involve students in their treatment plan to understand their treatment and why some strategies work more effectively than others.

Speech-Language Pathologists have a broad scope of responsibilities, which include:

Facilitating general screenings and diagnostic assessments of at-risk students
Offering therapy services on an individual or group basis
Collaborate with and train school professionals on approaches for addressing and treating speech and language disorders
Corresponding with students with speaking disorders and their families to guarantee that treatment is provided both at home and in school
Working in special and general education classrooms to enhance speaking, reading, listening, writing, and learning strategies
Keep documentation on students under their supervision

Speech-Language Pathologists also help older students preparing to graduate plan for the transition from high school to college and adult life. Because the adjustment can be challenging for impaired students, Speech-Language Pathologists can help students devise specific plans to address situations in the real world that they might encounter once they graduate.

Parents can strengthen their relationship with their child’s Speech-Language Pathologist and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team by actively supporting speech therapy at home. While this may be difficult, it can be rewarding because parents can acquire a wealth of new knowledge and practical techniques for incorporating therapy into their child’s life.

Regular communication and collaboration with the child’s SLP and IEP team can lead to a better understanding of the child’s strengths, challenges, needs, progress, and goals. This, in turn, enables parents to offer valuable insights, express concerns, and provide feedback on their child’s therapy. With this information, the SLP and IEP team can refine therapy approaches and tailor the child’s individualized education plan accordingly, which can ultimately benefit the child’s overall development and success.

Speech Therapy Services at Therapy Source

Therapy Source is a leading provider of school-based Speech Therapists for public, charter, virtual schools, and other learning institutions across the nation. We offer an array of in-person and online therapy services, and our national network of highly qualified professionals are licensed and certified with substantial school-based experience. With our blended approach, we offer services and assessments in school or at home that are proven to be effective, affordable, and efficient.

We’re positive that your school could benefit from our national network of highly qualified Speech-Language Pathologists. We welcome you to contact us and learn more about how Therapy Source can meet your education service needs today.

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