For Families

I’m Afraid My Child Has a Speech-Language Disorder: What Do I Do?

Don’t panic – professionals called speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work in schools and can help your child.
Talk to your classroom teacher and share your concerns. Ask about your child’s communication within the classroom environment.
Ask what the process for getting a speech language screening is in your child’s school?
If your child has been referred for a speech-language evaluation and you are in agreement, make sure you sign the documents to begin the evaluation process.
Contribute to the evaluation process by sharing your thoughts on your child’s speech-language abilities.
Participate in meetings about the evaluation and, if your child qualifies for services, the Individualized Education Planning (IEP) meeting.

An IEP meeting will discuss your child’s present levels of performance and goals for the future.
If you don’t understand something during the meeting, be sure to ask questions.
Your SLP will probably give you ideas about how to help your child at home. If not, be sure to ask.
Keep track of your child’s progress by reading their progress reports from the SLP and asking questions.
Keep talking to your child. Have conversations during dinner, when riding in the car, while playing at the park, etc.

Articulation Disorders: difficulty producing speech sounds, such as substituting /w/ for /r/
Fluency Disorders: disruption in the flow of speech, such as stuttering
Expressive Language Disorders: difficulty expressing needs, ideas, or information to others
Receptive Language Disorders: difficulty following directions or understanding what others say
Pragmatic Communication Disorders: difficulty with the social aspects of language, such as eye contact, facial expression, turn-taking, topic maintenance, etc.
Voice Disorders: difficulty with respiration, phonation, or resonance resulting in atypical vocalizations (breathy voice, hoarse voice, etc.)

A speech-language pathologist, or SLP, evaluates and treats children for speech-language disorders
SLPs are specially trained to provide treatment for children with speech-language disorders
They are highly-qualified professionals with advanced educational degrees and extensive clinical practicum experience
Your SLP can work with children in any grade level
They might see children individually or in groups
Your SLP may even help out in classrooms to work on communication skills, such as phonological awareness and vocabulary development

SLPs can participate in a lot of activities at your school including…