Courtney Pignataro
Speech/Language Specialist
The role of the Speech Language Specialist in your school:
o Prevention of communication disorders
o Identification of students at risk for later problems
o Assessment of students' communication skills
o Evaluation of results from comprehensive assessments
o Development and implementation of IEP's
o Documentation of outcomes
o Collaboration with teachers and other professionals
SLS's work with school children who have communication problems that affect success in:
o Classroom activities
o Social Interaction
o Literacy
o Learning
SLS's work with children who have a variety of disabilities
Language
o Slow development of vocabulary, concepts, or grammar
o Inability to use different communication styles for different situations
o Poor building blocks of understanding/expressing ideas, social development, learning, reading, and writing.
Voice
o Speech that is too high, low, or monotonous in pitch
o Interrupted by breaks
o Too loud or too soft
o Harsh, hoarse, breathy, or nasal
Fluency/ Stuttering
o Interruptions in flow or rhythm
o Can include hesitations, repetitions, or prolongations
o Can affect sounds, syllables, words, or phrases
Articulation
o Saying one word for another (wabbit for rabbit)
o Omitting a sound in a word (i-cream for ice cream)
o Distorting a sound (thee for see)
Swallowing/ Dysphagia
o Difficulty in sucking, chewing, triggering a swallow, moving food into the stomach
SLS's work with children in a variety of ways:
o Combine communication goals with academic and social goals
o Integrate classroom objectives
o Help students understand and use basic language concepts
o Support reading and writing
o Increase students’ understanding of texts and lessons
Services can vary depending on students’ needs:
o Monitoring or periodic screening
o Collaborating and consulting
o Classroom based services
o Small group or individual sessions
Speech and Language Disorders can be associated with:
Hearing loss, Cleft palate, Cerebral Palsy and other motor problems, Learning disabilities,
Autism, Developmental Delays, Traumatic Brain Injury and other problems
Signs of a communication disorder
Late talker
Below expectations in the classroom
Difficulty learning to read and write
Unable to express thoughts and ideas
Problems understanding others and following directions
Doesn't get along with others
Problems taking tests
Resources about communication disorders