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Speech Therapy

Speech and Language

Speech Language Pathology is concerned with issues surrounding speech and language communication disorders. School-based clinicians typically work with the following types of communication disorders which interfere with a student’s ability to be successful in the general education classroom:
 
  • Articulation disorders or disorders which make it difficult for students to produce sounds in syllables or say words incorrectly to the point that other people can't understand what's being said.
  • Fluency disorders include problems such as stuttering, the condition in which the flow of speech is interrupted by abnormal stoppages, repetitions, or prolonging sounds and syllables.
  • Receptive and expressive language disorders. Receptive disorders refer to difficulties understanding or processing language. Expressive disorders include difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way.
 
Depending on the nature and severity of the disorder, common treatments may include exercises, instructive or repetitive practice and drilling, the use of assistive technology aids, and introduction of strategies to facilitate functional communication. Speech language therapy may also include the use of picture symbols or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.
 
Acquisition of Speech Sounds:
 
/k/    age 3½ -4 or kindergarten
 
/g/    age 3½-4 or kindergarten
 
/l/     age 6-7 or 1st grade
 
ch      age 7 or 2nd grade
 
sh      age 7 or 2nd grade
 
j        age 7 or 2nd grade
 
/r/     age 8 or 3rd grade
 
/s/     age 8 or 3rd grade
 
th     age 8 or 3rd grade
 
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