Speech & Language Therapy Services

Goal of Speech & Language Therapy:

The goal of Speech & Language Therapy is to enhance the functional and social communicative skills of the students enrolled in The Benedictine School to each individual student’s fullest potential. To achieve this goal, a variety of communication systems are utilized which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Verbal Language
  • Sign Language (ASL)
  • Gesture
  • Picture Communication Exchange (PECS)
  • Picture communication choice boards and books
  • Augmentative communication device with voice output – static screen
  • Augmentative Communication Device with voice output – dynamic screen

The Speech & Language skills worked on may include, but are not limited to:

  • Functional concrete receptive vocabulary (nouns and verbs)
  • Functional abstract receptive vocabulary (adjectives and adverbs)
  • Functional concrete expressive vocabulary (nouns and verbs)
  • Functional abstract expressive vocabulary (adjectives and adverbs)
  • Fluency/cluttering and speech rate
  • Articulatory skills
  • Vocal skills – pitch/quality and volume
  • Auditory perceptual skills – memory/association/discrimination, etc.
  • Critical thinking skills using chunking – problem solving and sequencing
  • Pragmatic Language skills – conversation and message delivery

Speech & Language Therapy Process:

Student’s Speech & Language Skills are evaluated once each year to determine Speech & Language status and to mark progress. If it is determined by the IEP Team that Speech & Language therapy services are indicated, the student is scheduled for individual or small group therapy. The service delivery model can include one or all of the following models:

  • Consultative services
  • Pull-out services within the therapeutic environment
  • Integrated services in the natural setting
  • Co-treatment with other therapeutic services (OT, PT, APE).

All staff (day and residential) receives ongoing training to assist them in maintenance and generalization of the student’s learned communication skills. Speech & Language Therapists are available on an as needed basis for additional support. Formal parent trainings are offered as well as 9 scheduled parent conferences throughout the year. Written progress reports are sent to families and funding agencies regularly throughout the year. Additionally, videotaping and audio taping of targeted language skills are available if deemed necessary.

The Communication Therapy Department works in coordination with a variety of related agencies in an effort to treat the “whole child”.