SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are committed to servicing students whose communication impairments adversely affect their educational performance. Areas of communication impairments include: articulation, receptive and/or expressive language, fluency (stuttering), hearing impairment, and voice.
Licensed SLPs work closely with educational teams to identify and serve students with difficulties in the area of communication. In addition to the student's parents, these teams may include regular education teachers, intervention specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, other specialists, and administrators.
Speech-Language Pathology services include:
Supervision, consultation , and professional development opportunities are also provided to districts upon request. In addition, Assistive Technology consultations and evaluations as well as Hearing Impairment consultation and support are available upon request.
Assistive Technology
ESCEO provides Assistive Technology (A.T.) consultation and assessment services to support a student, staff member(s), parent(s), or a classroom. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act -IDEA (Public Law 105-17) defines assistive technology devices and services in the following manner:
- An assistive technology device is an item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.
- An assistive technology service is any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device.
Types of A.T. assistance
- Diagnostic services for students aged 0 – 22 years.
- Direct services, including assessment, interventions and evaluations for students with speech-language disabilities in preschool and school-age programs (students aged 3 – 22).
- Direct services to students in individual, small group or classroom settings.
- Development of Individualized Education Plans for students qualifying with speech-language impairments.
- Consultation with classroom teachers, intervention specialists, paraprofessionals, other school service providers, outside agency providers and/or parents related to meet the needs of students with speech-language impairments.
- Collaboration with classroom teachers or intervention specialists to provide an integrated intervention program to meet the needs of students with speech-language impairments.
- Referrals to medical professionals as necessary.
- An assistive technology device is an item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.
- An assistive technology service is any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device.
- Consultation regarding purchasing or upgrading AT software/materials/devices in the areas of communication, language arts or math.
- Obtaining a loan/rental of A.T. materials, devices, etc.
- Troubleshooting/Repairing of A.T. materials
- Visually structuring a classroom
- Utilizing the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Assessing a student's skills in the areas of communication, computer access, reading, writing or math
- Assessing a student for utilizing low tech A.T. switches to access classroom equipment, computer programs or adapted instructional materials
- Assessing a student for using a low or high tech communication device
- Training on the use of a communication device, software programs and AT materials
- Assist in determining funding options for AT
- Support educators in developing AT strategies to support the participation and success of children with a range of abilities.
- Coordinate therapies, interventions, services and programs for AT within the school environment
Connect with Our Speech-Language Pathology Team
Staci Direnzo
Director of Pupil Services and Related Services
330.533.8755 ext. 1068
