What is school-based SPEECH-LANGUAGE therapy? 
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work with educational evaluation teams to provide comprehensive language and speech assessments for students. Services to students with speech-language disorders may be provided in small group sessions, in classrooms when teaming with teachers, or in a consultative model with teachers and parents. SLPs integrate students' speech-language goals with academic outcomes and functional performance.

What type of SPEECH-LANGUAGE disorders affect school-aged children?

• Speech sound disorders - (articulation/phonology, difficulty pronouncing sounds)
• Language disorders - (receptive/expressive/pragmatic, difficulty understanding what they hear as well as expressing themselves with words, social language and interactions)
• Cognitive-communication disorders - (difficulty with thinking skills including perception, memory, awareness, reasoning, judgment, intellect and imagination)
• Stuttering (fluency) disorders - (interruption of the flow of speech that may include hesitations, repetitions, prolongations of sounds or words)
• Voice disorders - (quality of voice that may include hoarseness, nasality, volume (too loud or soft)

How is a student eligible for SPEECH-LANGUAGE services?
Generally, children are considered eligible as a student with a speech-language impairment if they meet TEA eligibility criteria. This means that a student must have a speech and/or language impairment that the nature of the impairment requires specially designed instruction, and the impairment causes a documented adverse effect on your child’s academic or non-academic performance. There are specific criteria for each speech and language area. Please consult your school SLP for more information. 

Ways a SPEECH-LANGUAGE disorder may affect school performance? 
Children with communication disorders frequently do not perform at grade level.  They may struggle with reading, have difficulty understanding and expressing language, misunderstand social cues, avoid attending school, show poor judgment, and have difficulty with tests.  Difficulty in learning to listen, speak, read, or write can result from problems in language development.  Problems can occur in the production, comprehension, and awareness of language sounds, syllables, words, sentences, and conversation.  Individuals with reading and writing problems also may have trouble using language to communicate, think, and learn.

Speech-Language Pathology Parent Resources:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
The professional organization for the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.  

Mommy Speech Therapy Blog
Blog created by a speech therapist and mom with ideas on how to target speech and language skills at home.  

Super Duper, Inc.
A company that creates educational games and materials for speech-language pathologists and parents of children with special needs. 

Speech Pathology Apps
Website that reviews apps for speech therapy.

Speech and Language Kids
Activities and resources for parents and supporters of children with speech and language delays. 

Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association
The professional organization for the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology for the state of Texas.