An articulation disorder can affect the intelligibility of a child's speech. A child may have one sound error, several sound errors or a phonological speech disorder which affects groups of sounds with similar characteristics.A child may have an oral motor weakness which impacts his ability to physically produce the sounds correctly.Intelligibility is affected depending on the numbers and characteristics of these errors.

A language disorder can affect a child's understanding of language(receptive ) or use of language(expressive). This might include difficulty understanding or using vocabulary words, social (pragmatic) language, grammatical patterns, or following directions. A child may have difficulties with some or all of these areas. The ability to learn might be impacted depending on the specific areas of difficulty and the severity of those weaknesses.

Voice disorders are characterized but difficulties with the pitch, volume or quality of the child's speaking voice. These difficulties may be related to vocal abuse or allergies. It is sometimes helpful to obtain information from the student's doctor.
Fluency disorders (stuttering) are difficulties which impact the flow or rhythm of speech. The severity is related to the number of dysfluencies within a sampling, the existence of tension or secondary behaviors as well as the impact on the child's ability to express his/her ideas..

Speech/Language Pathologist

Gail Simpson

Davis School

 

Articulation

 

  
Language

 

Voice

 

 

Fluency

 

The speech and language program is part of the special education curriculum of the St. Charles school district. The specific areas that a speech and language pathologist works with include: articulation, language, voice, and fluency. A student's difficulties within these areas are looked at both developmentally and in relation to the impact these difficulties may have on the student either academically or socially.

Parents and classroom teachers serve as referral sources to the speech/language therapist. The SLP works together with the classroom teachers and parents to determine a students needs based on the school district's criterea.

The speech/language pathologist's duties include: participation on the PPS (pupil personnel service team), observation of students, consultation with parents, teachers and other professionals, diagnosis of speech/language disorders, and implementation of individualized education programs for those students that qualify for speech/language services.

 

Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Links to:

District 303 homepage Davis School homepage Speech/Language games

Speech/Language resources