Related Services
The Special Education Department offers numerous services for students driven by the needs of the students. Services primarily include Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Social Work. A more detailed description of the services can be found below.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPY
“Speech-language therapy is the treatment for most students with speech and/or language disorders. A speech disorder refers to a problem with the actual production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas.
Speech Disorders and Language Disorders
Speech disorders include the following problems, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA):
Articulation disorders include difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying 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 (st-st-stuttering), or prolonging sounds and syllables (ssssstuttering).
Resonance or voice disorders include problems with the pitch, volume, or quality of the voice that distract listeners from what’s being said. These types of disorders may also cause pain or discomfort for the child when speaking.
Language disorders can be either receptive or expressive:
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.
Specialists in Speech-Language Therapy
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), often informally known as speech therapists, are professionals educated in the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders. They hold at least a master’s degree and state certification/licensure in the field, as well as a certificate of clinical competency from ASHA.
By assessing the speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing skills of children and adults, speech-language pathologists can identify types of communication problems and the best way to treat them.
These therapists treat problems in the areas of articulation; dysfluency; oral-motor, speech, and voice; and receptive and expressive language disorders.” -Kidshealth.org
Speech Related Links
Late Blooming or Language Problem?
How Does Your Child Hear and Talk?
Your Child’s Communication Development: Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.
Speech And Language Development
Crafts And Activities For Children
Fun Games For Children
For Parents and Their Preschoolers
Autism Research Institute
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
“OT is a therapy or treatment provided by an occupational therapist that helps individual development of physical skills that will aid in daily living. It focuses on sensory integration; balance and coordination of movement; and fine motor and self-help skills.” -theautismprogram.org
What is an Occupational Therapist?
“An Occupational Therapist is a health professional with at least a 4-year college degree that specializes in evaluation and treatment of various diagnoses that limit functional independence.” -aurorahealthcare.org
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical Therapy is a diverse, yet tactical, strategy designed to rehabilitate individuals with injuries or ailments that directly effect their physical capability through the use of exercise.
What is a Physical Therapist?
A licensed health care professional with at least a master’s degree in the subject area. Their job is to treat injury or dysfunction with exercises and other physical treatments of the disorder or injury.
SOCIAL WORK
“Social Work is a human service field which may involve specialized training in social welfare, individual, family, group and community mental health services.” -agriwellness.org
What does a Social Worker do?
A school social worker meets with students on an individual basis and helps counsel the students in the area of their needs. They also provide and analyze test material for the school, communicate directly with parents and provide necessary input for Individualized Education Programs (Plans).