Speech and Language Therapy is a focus in our Early Years Program. Typically every classroom has at least one Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) assigned to the class.  Based on student and program needs, some students are also seen by a SLP in their daycare and other itinerant locations.  Your child’s Individual Educational Program (IEP) will be our guide in determining the amount of time, level of service, and the specific speech and language goals that will be emphasized.  The focus of intervention will be based upon your child’s individual speech and language needs integrated within the school curriculum.  Therapy will typically be provided within the classroom setting although some students may receive pullout therapy sessions dependent upon their needs. 

Speech, Language, and Social Communication skills are worked on throughout the day in our classrooms.  So even when the SLP is not in the room, staff is targeting these skills and providing models and supports for our students.  In addition, ongoing collaboration and consultation with the team working with your child continues throughout the school year to maintain carryover of these skills into the classroom and educational settings.  Your role as the parent cannot be overlooked and is critically important to your child’s speech and language growth. Please contact your child’s speech-language pathologist if you have any questions, concerns or information that will be helpful to us when working with your child.  If your child is a community peer and you have speech and language concerns, please speak to their teacher or the RCCSD Child Find office.  

Our Speech and Language Team also includes Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coordinators.  The AAC Coordinators work with teams if a child is referred for additional communication supports in the form of visuals, voice output systems, and speech generating devices.  These systems may be used to help give children a more robust language system and to give them additional communication modalities.  They won’t replace speech or gestures, but can help provide another way to communicate when a child can’t get their message across.  

For more information on speech and language supports and skills to watch for based on your child’s age:  https://identifythesigns.org/

For ideas on activities to target speech and language skills: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/activities-to-encourage-speech-and-language-development/

For trainings on supporting your child’s communication and play, see the parent training tab on the EYP website