A speech-language pathologist is a professional with a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology or beyond, who evaluates, diagnoses, and provides treatment for children and adults with Speech-Language Disorders or Delays.

Areas of Speech/Language that are addressed include:

- Articulation

- Receptive Language

- Expressive Language

- Pragmatics

- Fluency

Speech-Language Pathologists in the Arlington Central School District:

- Identify and assess children with communication weaknesses through referrals, screenings, and evaluations.

- Provide direct intervention services to children in small groups or on an individual basis, depending on need.

- Educate and consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to develop appropriate activities and techniques to improve a child’s communication skills. Make referrals for other services such as audiologist, ear-nose and throat (ENT) doctor, and/or orthodontist.

 A speech sound disorder occurs when mistakes continue past a certain age. Every sound has a different range of ages when the child should make the sound correctly. Speech sound disorders include problems with articulation (making sounds) and phonological processes (sound patterns).

Adapted from American Speech-Language Hearing Association website, 2015.

Eligibility for articulation therapy is based on the following:

• The number of sound errors
• The effect of sound errors on:
  • Child’s overall intelligibility (how well a child is understood) AND
  • Child’s educational progress

A child who is diagnosed with a language disorder may lack age appropriate receptive language and/or expressive language abilities.

Receptive language refers to a child’s ability to comprehend spoken language.  A child with a receptive language delay may have difficulty comprehending auditory information such as following auditory directions or comprehending stories.

Expressive language refers to a child’s ability to use language to express his/her thoughts orally. Weakness in expressive language may include a delay in learning appropriate vocabulary (semantics), grammar (syntax), and social use (pragmatics).

Language disorders can be specific to each child. For example, a child may have a delay in one or both areas of language.

What is Pragmatics (Social Skills)?

• Refers to the rules of social language.
• Using language for different purposes.
• Following the rules for conversation and storytelling.

Examples: Taking turns, Personal space, Interpreting facial expressions, Tone of voice.

Kindergarten Listening and Speaking Milestones

Listening

• Follow 1-2 step directions in a sequence
• Listen to and understand age-appropriate stories read aloud
• Follow a simple conversation

Speaking

• Be understood by most people
• Answer simple “yes/no” questions
• Answer open-ended questions (e.g. “What did you have for lunch today?”)
• Retell a story or talk about an event
• Participate appropriately in conversations
• Show interest in and start conversations

Tips to Encourage Language Development:

• Talk with your child frequently
• Read a variety of books; read often and talk with your child about the story. When discussing books, be sure to connect the story to your own personal experiences. The more background information and vocabulary a child brings to a book he/she reads, the more they will fully understand the information and ideas presented in the book.
• Help your child focus on sound patterns of words such as those found in rhyming games.
• Have your child retell stories and talk about events of the day.
• Talk with your child during daily activities; give directions for your child to follow (e.g. making cookies, setting the table).
• Talk about how things are alike and different
• Continue to build vocabulary. Introduce a new word and offer its definition, or use it in a context that is easily understood.
• Give your child reasons and opportunities to write.

Adapted from American Speech-Language Hearing Association website, 2015.