Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have the specialized knowledge and experience needed to identify communication problems and to provide the help that children need to build critical language and literacy skills. SLPs are often the first professionals to identify the root cause of reading and writing problems through a child's difficulty with language. SLPs help children to build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. (www.asha.org)

Columbiana County Educational Service Center SLPs provide services to students with communication disorders in seven school districts, as well as nine preschool classrooms throughout the county. Our SLPs are committed to providing the highest quality services to help students achieve academically:

  • Provide and/or consult on interventions for struggling students.

  • Consult with teachers on communication needs and language development within the classroom.

  • Offer resources to parents and teachers to promote communication skills.

  • Conduct Kindergarten screening for communication differences.

  • Conduct hearing screenings (assisting the school nurse) for all children in preschool, Kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 9, and students receiving special education services.

  • Conduct comprehensive evaluations of speech and language skills for students with suspected communication disabilities.

  • Participate on committees or teams involved in raising student achievement or identifying needs, as appropriate.

  • Participate in evaluation team meetings, IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and other student level support meetings. 

  • Plan and prepare lessons.

  • Plan for student transitions.

  • Provide direct therapy services to students with speech-language disabilities.

  • Provide indirect services to identified students through consultation with the teacher, parent, and others; obtain, customize, or construct assistive technology/materials to support access to the curriculum through improved communication; assist the teacher with identification of appropriate accommodations.

  • Program and maintain assistive technology/augmentative communication systems (AT/AC) and equipment.

  • Provide training to teachers and parents on AAC devices or other assistive technologies.

  • Document student abilities, needs and progress in thorough evaluation reports, IEPs, data collection systems and therapy notes.

  • Communicate progress to parents regularly.

  • Make referrals to other professionals.

  • Complete additional record-keeping and documentation as needed (e.g., third party billing, calendars, travel, etc.)

  • Maintain licensure and demonstrate professional growth through participation in professional development targeting self-determined goals.

  • In most cases, serve multiple schools/sites.