Navigating the School System: How a Speech Pathologist Can Advocate for Your Child

In short,

• Learn how speech pathologists support children in schools.
• Discover actionable steps to advocate for your child’s needs.
• Know when to seek professional help.

Finding a speech pathologist who can help your child in the school system is important if your child has communication or swallowing challenges. These professionals help children develop and support their specific needs at school.

What Does a School Speech Pathologist Do?

Speech pathologists, also called speech-language pathologists (SLPs), work with students of all ages who have trouble with speech, language, communication, and swallowing. They work with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create plans called Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and provide helpful support.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan made for students with disabilities. It helps them get special teaching and support based on their unique needs. These programs help students do well in school and grow.

Communication Challenges SLPs Can Help With

Speech-language pathologists can help with many communication challenges. These can affect how well a child can communicate and interact with others.

• Articulation disorders (trouble saying sounds correctly)
• Language disorders (trouble understanding or using language)
• Fluency disorders (stuttering)
• Voice disorders (problems with voice quality, pitch, or loudness)
• Social communication disorders (trouble with social interaction)
• Swallowing disorders (dysphagia)

Articulation disorders mean a child has difficulty saying sounds correctly, making it hard to understand them.

Language disorders can affect a child’s ability to understand what others say or /

write (receptive language) or to express themselves (expressive language). Fluency disorders, like stuttering, interrupt the flow of speech.

Voice disorders involve problems with how the voice sounds, its pitch, or loudness. Social communication disorders affect how well a child uses language in social situations. Dysphagia, or swallowing disorders, can make it hard for a child to eat and drink safely.

How a Speech Pathologist Can Help Your Child

A speech pathologist can strongly support your child’s needs in the school system. They can help make sure your child gets the right support and services to do their best.

IEP Help

Speech pathologists are very important in creating and using IEPs. They check your child’s strengths and weaknesses, set goals that can be measured, and suggest helpful support and changes.

These checks may include tests, watching the child, and talking to parents and teachers. The SLP uses this information to make a complete plan that helps the child’s communication needs.

Working with School Staff

SLPs work with teachers, counselors, and other school staff to make sure your child’s communication needs are met throughout the school day. This can include training teachers on how to help students with communication disorders in the classroom.

They might also work with other specialists, like occupational or physical therapists, to help with related challenges. Good communication between the SLP, school staff, and parents is key to helping the child succeed.

Finding the Right Speech Therapy

When looking for speech therapy for your child, think about the therapist’s experience, skills, and how they work. A good relationship between the therapist and child is important for success.

Questions to Ask Speech Pathologists

Asking the right questions can help you find a speech pathologist who is a good fit for your child and family.

• What are your qualifications and experience working with children who have similar needs?
• How do you approach therapy?
• How will you keep me informed about my child’s progress?
• Do you have experience helping children in the school system?

It’s important to find a therapist who knows their stuff, is caring, and can build a good relationship with your child. Understanding how they approach therapy and how they communicate will help you decide if they are the right fit.

Why Starting Early Is Important

Starting early is key to helping a child reach their communication potential. If you think your child might have a communication disorder, get help from a professional. Talk to your doctor to get a referral to a qualified speech pathologist.

Research shows that early help can greatly improve the results for children with communication disorders. The earlier a child gets therapy, the better their chances of developing good communication skills.

Get Professional Help from a Speech Pathologist in Wooster, OH

If you notice any of these signs in your child, it’s important to talk to a speech pathologist or your pediatrician:

• Trouble understanding or following directions
• Trouble expressing themselves verbally
• Stuttering
• Saying sounds incorrectly after the age they should be saying them correctly
• Voice problems (hoarseness, breathiness)
• Trouble swallowing
• Social communication difficulties

These signs could mean there is a communication disorder that needs professional evaluation and treatment. Talking to a speech pathologist can help find the cause of these problems and create a plan to help.

It’s always best to be cautious and get professional help from Wooster Community Hospital if you are worried about your child’s communication development.

Call us at (330) 263-8100 to discuss your concerns. You can also Contact Us online.