1. What is my job as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in a school?
Created and Presented By:
Mrs. Mira C. Mullen, CCC-SLP/L
Mrs. Teresa Spencer, CCC-SLP/L
Sedgwick County Special Education Cooperative #265
Fall 2016

2. What are the requirements of an SLP in KS?
Initial License for Speech Language Pathology in Kansas
Master's degree or equivalent from an educational institution with standards consistent with those of the state universities of Kansas or accredited by ASHA
400 hours supervised clinical practicum, at least 325 hours at graduate level, in the area in which licensure is sought (audiology or speech-language pathology)
Completion of supervised 9-month postgraduate professional experience (CFY- Clinical Fellowship Year)
Passage of a National Teachers Exam Specialty Area test administered by ETS (NTE)
Passage of the National ASHA Praxis examination in the area which licensure is sought.
Continuing Education
Kansas - Applicants must complete 20 hours of documented and approved continuing education per each two-year renewal period.
National – (optional in the school setting) Being “ASHA certified" means holding the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), a nationally recognized professional credential that represents a level of excellence in the field Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).
ASHA Certification Maintenance Standards require that all certificate holders (CCC-A and CCC-SLP) must accumulate 30 Certification Maintenance Hours (CMHs) of professional development during each 3-year certification maintenance interval in order to maintain their ASHA Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC).

3. How important is communication in the school setting?
Good communication skills lead to success in…
Reading
Listening
Writing
Speaking
LEARNING!
21st Century Skills
Bad communication skills lead to problems with…
Understanding & participating in classroom instruction
Developing & maintaining relationships

4. A.k.a. “speech therapists” or “speech Teachers”… (or “that speech person”)
Work with children who have communication problems that affect success in…
Classroom activities
Literacy
Learning
Social interaction

5. How do Students Qualify to receive Speech Services?
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) provides speech and/or language services for school-age children who…
Have communication disorders that adversely affect their educational performance

6. What does the Qualification and therapeutic process look like?
Prevention
Identification
Assessment
Evaluation
Development of IEPs
Remediation/Therapy
Progress Monitoring
…a variety of speech and language disorders

7. What else does an SLP provide in the schools?
Collaboration with…
Teachers
Administrators
Our Coop
Other professionals
Parents/Guardians
THE STUDENT!
Advocacy for teaching practices & implementation of techniques into the curriculum

8. What Types of disabilities/disorders do SLP’s work with?
Language
Pragmatic Language
Auditory Processing and Comprehension
Articulation/Phonological
Voice
Fluency
Hearing Impairment
Oral-Motor
Swallowing/Feeding (a.k.a. Dysphagia)

9. What is a language disorder?
Language disabilities include the slow development of…
Semantics (vocab)
Syntax (grammar)
Concepts
Pragmatic (social) language disabilities include…
Inability/difficulty using different communication styles in different situations
Overall…
Child has poor building blocks for understanding/expressing ideas, social development, learning, reading, and writing

10. What is an Articulation/Phonological Disorder?
Substituting one sound for another (i.e. /w/ for /r/)
Omitting a sound in a word (i.e. “top” for “stop”; “ater” for “after”
Distorting a sound (i.e. “thee” for “see”)
In the classroom might note difficulty spelling secondary to speech errors.
Language/Articulation Driver's Ed
Children have difficulty producing speech sounds

11. What is a voice disorder?
SLPs also refer some children to the ENT(ear, nose, and throat doctor) to rule out any growths that can appear on the vocal chords from prolonged vocal abuse
Disorders of voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation
Speech that is…
Too high, low, or monotonous in pitch
Interrupted by breaks
Too loud or soft in volume
Harsh, hoarse, breathy, or nasal
Children who have prolonged vocal issues come to therapy to learn how to use their voice properly, without mistreating it

12. What is a fluency disorder?
A.K.A. “stuttering”
Defined by…
Interruptions in the flow or rhythm of speech
Possible hesitations, repetitions, prolongations or insertions
Can affect individual sounds, syllables, words, and/or phrases
**Side note: Identify as a “child who stutters” NOT “a stutterer”

13. What is an Auditory Processing/Comprehension disorder?
Comprehension disorders are characterized by…
Difficulty with word meaning, sequencing skills, and problem solving
Auditory processing disorders are characterized by…
Difficulty distinguishing and discriminating speech sounds
Overall…
Children with either of these disorders have difficulty understanding (receiving) spoken/written (expressive) language, thus affecting speaking, listening, reading and writing.

14. How does an SLP help a child with a hearing impairment?
“Aural Rehabilitation” includes…
How does hearing impact speech and language
Lip reading skills
Articulation and voice therapy
Language therapy
SLPs in the schools also…
Check hearing aids & other hearing devices
Work with the audiologist regarding recommendations
Work with the classroom teacher to develop strategies to maximize the child’s classroom performance

15. What does it mean when a child has oral-Motor issues?
Apraxia of speech or Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Children demonstrate difficulties coordinating the movement of structures in the mouth during speech
Problem is due to the inability to form a coordinated “movement plan” to produce speech
Treatment includes…
Muscle strengthening and coordination activities
Structured, repetitious practice of movements required to produce accurate speech
Oral-Motor Disorder-Weak tongue and/or lip muscles or jaw movements can decrease the clarity of speech

16. What is dysphagia? Child will demonstrate difficulty with…
Sucking
Chewing
Triggering a swallow
Moving food into the stomach
Can interfere with…
Eating snack and lunch
Opportunities to build friendships
Social and communication skills
Learning
SLPs will help by…
Setting up a feeding program that indicates the foods that are appropriate vs. inappropriate
Teaching techniques that help the child eat safely
Modify the texture of foods
Reposition the body
Maximal placement of food

17. What can speech & langUAge disorders be associated with?
Hearing loss
Cleft palate
Learning disabilities
Cerebral palsy or other motor problems/disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Developmental delays
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Variety of emotional, behavioral, and/or medical issues

18. What are some signs that may indicate a child has a communication disorder?
Below expectations in the classroom
Difficulty learning to read or write
Late talker
Difficulty being understood when speaking
Inability to express thoughts, ideas, wants, and/or needs
Problems understanding others
Difficulty following directions
Cognitive aspects (memory, sequencing, problem solving, executive functioning)
Problems taking tests
Issues getting along with others

19. How does an SLP go about working with these children?
Combine communication goals with academic & social goals
Integrate classroom and curricular objectives
Help them understand and use basic language concepts
Support reading and writing
Increase understanding of classroom lessons, text features, study and test taking strategies.
Services may vary depending on each individual student’s needs
Monitoring/periodic screenings
Collaborating & Consulting
Classroom-based services (“inclusion”)
Small group or individual sessions (“pull-out”)

20. What do you do if you think a student in your class has a communication issue or disorder?
COME SEE ME!
Ask me questions and express your concerns
Request an observation or screening
Bring examples and/or details (The more the merrier!)

21. Why are SLP’s known for playing so many games? Games teach us:
Turn taking
Following directions
Social skills
Manners/Good Sportsmanship
Asking and answering questions
Articulation at all levels (word to connected speech)
Problem solving
Vocabulary development
Attention to task
Making friends

22. Remember…
One of the most important connections between the students and myself is
YOU!!!

23. Any questions, comments, or concerns?!

24. References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). (2010). The role of the slp in schools: a presentation for teachers, administrators, parents, and the community. Retrieved from
Lilienthal, Nicole. (2008). What does a speech- language pathologist (slp) do? Speech- Language Pathology Information. Retrieved from
Merkel-Piccini, Robyn. (2001). I know you’re a speech pathologist… but what do you do? Super Duper Publications. Retrieved from
Kid Snippets: "Drivers Ed" (Imagined by Kids)
Kid Snippets: "Making Friends" (Imagined by Kids)

25. What is my job as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in a school?
Created and Presented By:
Mrs. Mira C. Mullen, CCC-SLP/L
Mrs. Teresa Spencer, CCC-SLP/L
Sedgwick County Special Education Cooperative #265
Big Cat Conference - Fall 2016
What are the requirements of an SLP in Kansas?
How Important is Communication?
AKA Speech Therapist or Speech Teachers?
How do students qualify to receive speech services?
What does the qualification and therapeutic process look like?
What else does the SLP provide in schools?
What types of disabilities/disorders do SLP’s work with?
What is a language disorder?
What is an articulation/phonological disorder?
What is a voice disorder?
What is a fluency disorder?
What is an auditory processing/comprehension disorder?
How does the SLP help a child with a hearing impairment?
What does it mean when a child has oral motor issues?
What is dysphagia?
What can speech and language disorders be associated with?
What are some signs that may indicate a student has a communication disorder?
How does an SLP go about working with these children?
What do you do if you think a student has a communication issue or disorder?
Why are SLP’s known for playing so many games?