Speech and Language
Services
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a licensed professional with a master's degree or higher in Speech-Language Pathology. SLPs are specially trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.
In the school setting, an SLP works as part of the special education team to help students develop the communication skills they need to participate successfully in school and everyday life. Communication is essential for learning, making friends, expressing ideas, following directions, and becoming an independent learner.
School-based SLPs work with students who may have difficulties with:
Speech sounds (pronunciation and clarity of speech)
Understanding language (receptive language)
Using language to express thoughts and ideas (expressive language)
Social communication (pragmatic language, social skills)
Voice and fluency/stuttering- how we use our voice and how fluently, or smoothly, we speak
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for students who benefit from communication devices or other communication supports
If there are concerns about a student's speech or language skills, the school team may recommend a speech-language evaluation. Before any testing begins, the school will ask for parent or guardian permission. A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) uses a variety of information to understand your child's communication skills. This may include standardized tests, classroom observations, teacher and parent input, work samples, and conversations with your child. No single test determines whether a student qualifies for services.
After the evaluation is complete, an eligibility team—including parents or guardians, school staff, and qualified professionals—reviews all of the information together. In Virginia, a student qualifies for speech-language services only if the team determines that the student has a speech or language disability, the disability has an educational impact, and the student requires specially designed instruction to make progress in school. Some students may benefit from classroom supports or other interventions but may not meet the criteria for special education services. Parents are important members of the eligibility team, and their input is valued throughout the entire process.
What Happens After the Evaluation?
Once the evaluation is finished, the school will schedule an eligibility meeting to discuss the results with you. During this meeting, the team will explain your child's strengths, areas of need, and whether your child meets Virginia's eligibility criteria for special education speech-language services. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts throughout the meeting.
If your child is found eligible, the team will develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP describes your child's current levels of performance, annual goals, any speech-language services that will be provided, and how progress will be measured. If your child does not qualify for special education services, the team will discuss the evaluation results and may recommend classroom supports, interventions, or other resources to help meet your child's communication needs.
American Speech Languagpe Hearing Association (ASHA)
Virginia Department of Education - Resources for parents and students
In the school setting, School Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) support students whose communication difficulties impact their educational performance. They are responsible for performing a variety of tasks: evaluation/assessment, treatment (if student found eligible), teacher/parent consult, progress reports, hearing screenings, and yearly IEP (Individualized Education Plan) collaboration and meetings. The purpose of the IEP meeting is to determine:
The strengths and weaknesses of the child- including present level of performance
Modifications necessary for academic success
Goals
Amount and Location of Services
Communication includes much more than talking. School SLPs may support students with:
Speech sound production
Language development
Vocabulary
Listening and following directions
Social communication
Fluency (stuttering)
Voice
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Speech Sound Development (click for link)
Language Development Milestones (click for link)
Children make the best progress when they practice speech sounds regularly. Research shows that short, frequent practice sessions are more effective than practicing for a long time once in a while. For many children, 5–10 minutes of focused practice each day is enough to reinforce the skills they are learning in speech therapy.
Practice should be fun and encouraging. Use the words or activities identified in your child's IEP and praise your child's effort as much as correct productions. Speech skills improve over time with many successful opportunities to practice, both at school and at home.
At home ideas for practice:
• Play Go Fish using speech words
• Practice sounds during scavenger hunts
• Roll-and-say games
• Sidewalk chalk speech words
• Bubble popping with target words
• Reading aloud with repeated practice words or finding target sounds while reading
Language learning happens all day—not just during speech therapy. Everyday routines provide wonderful opportunities for children to build vocabulary, understand directions, answer questions, tell stories, and have conversations. Talking together during meals, shopping, bath time, bedtime, car rides, cooking, or while reading books helps children develop strong communication skills.
You do not need special materials or long lessons. Simply describe what you are doing, ask open-ended questions, give your child time to respond, and encourage back-and-forth conversations. Reading together, singing songs, playing games, and talking about your day are simple activities that can make a big difference. By embedding language practice into everyday routines, families help children use their communication skills in meaningful, real-life situations.
Suggested family games:
Guess Who?
Hedbanz
Spot It!
Zingo
Memory, Go Fish, Bingo, Tic-Tac-Toe
Charades
Simon Says
I Spy
Resources
Mommy Speech Therapy (printable worksheets by sound)
ABC phonics speech sound song – Our own Mrs. Rezac!
Tips for Parents and Caregivers - From ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association)
Home Speech Home Language - Stages of Development
Free SLP Language - games/resources from basic concepts to grammar
Reading, talking, writing, and even everyday conversations help children become stronger readers and communicators. Daily activities such as reading books, practicing spelling words, learning new vocabulary, or reading signs while driving are great opportunities to build phonics (understanding how letters represent sounds) and phonemic awareness (hearing and playing with the individual sounds in words). These important skills help children learn to read, spell, and write successfully.
You can support literacy in just a few minutes each day by making learning fun. Read nursery rhymes together, play "I Spy" using beginning sounds, or make silly alliteration sentences like "Peter played with purple penguins." Clap the syllables in family members' names or favorite foods, think of words that rhyme, talk about words that mean the same (synonyms) or the opposite (antonyms), and look for words that start with the same sound while shopping or taking a walk. These simple activities fit naturally into everyday routines and help build the strong speech, language, and literacy skills children need for success in school.
Reading Rockets- Tips for Home
Apps for Literacy and Learning — From Reading Rockets
Storyline Online - Allstar actors reading favorite children’s books
Epic Books - Another virtual library of children’s books
Unite for Literacy - free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages
Every child deserves a way to communicate. Some children use spoken words, while others communicate using a combination of methods. This is called Total Communication, which means encouraging and accepting all forms of communication. Communication can include speech, gestures, signs, pictures, communication devices (AAC), facial expressions, eye gaze, and body language. Every communication attempt has meaning and is an important step in helping your child connect with others.
Families play an important role in helping children learn to communicate. You do not need special training—simply communicate with your child throughout the day. Model communication by talking and using your child's communication system at the same time. Pause and wait to give your child time to respond. Follow your child's interests by talking about the things they enjoy and are paying attention to. Most importantly, celebrate every communication attempt, whether it is a word, gesture, sign, picture, button press, or look. Every attempt helps build confidence and supports communication growth.
Parent Resources
Practical AAC AAC community of professionals and families
AAC early language development
Speech with Joe An SLP with many songs using examples of AAC