SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) plays a pivotal role in supporting children with autism within a specialized school setting. Their expertise is vital in addressing the unique communication and social challenges faced by these students. This comprehensive role encompasses enhancing receptive and expressive language, improving oral motor skills and speech clarity, fostering verbal and nonverbal communication, promoting social inclusion, and implementing early intervention strategies.
Here are some areas intervened by Speech Language Pathologists in Autism Centre of Excellence:
Assessment and Goal Setting:
SLP evaluates child’s capability and stimulability. It continues with individualized education program (IEP) goals and addresses specific areas of growth. Regular monitoring of progress can be done ensuring the strategies remain effective and are adjusted as needed to support the child’s development.
Communication Development:
Communication is essential part of human being to express needs, emotions, experiences, thoughts and strengthen relationships in between. We emphasize it verbally as well nonverbally to prevent possible barrier made by lack of communication.
- Speech Therapy: Here focus is on improving the physiological aspects of speech production. It addresses difficulties in producing specific sounds or words, voice quality, loudness, pitch, rate of speech improving clarity and intelligibility of speech in different environments. It includes multiple approaches like, Oral placement therapy, Muscle strengthening or movement exercises, Phonological correction therapy, Fluency therapy and research advances.
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication: The communication delivered in different way other than speech to enhance communication and social interactions is Alternative and Augmentative communication. For developing children, we are using various Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategies being No tech, Low tech as well High tech. It includes, American Sign
Language (ASL), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Choice board, Picture and text based AAC app etc. - Receptive & Expressive Language: Receptive language skills enable children to understand and process information, forming the foundation for effective learning and interaction. The contextual clarity is given by Flash Cards, Visual aids, Sequence Demonstrations, and Simplified language. Expressive language enables children to convey their thoughts effectively. It can be started with improving Vocabulary – Word Knowledge, and extended to contextual Application ensuring transferability to natural environments. Grammar – Sentence Construction, Sentence structure, Verb tense usage, and Pronoun application. Narrative Skills – Storytelling, using descriptive language, and Summarizing experiences enhances depth of communication as well expression.
Social Development:
Group therapy sessions integrated into classroom activities aims to actively engage children in community and encourage meaningful participation in society. These sessions foster improved relationships with peers, family members, and teachers, creating a supportive environment for promoting social and emotional growth.
Classroom Collaboration:
Implementing communication strategies in the classroom involves tailoring teaching methods to enhance interaction and understanding among students. This includes modifying curriculum materials to align with the specific communication needs of each student, ensuring all learners can engage effectively and access the content in a way that supports their individual development.
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) plays a pivotal role in supporting children with autism within a specialized school setting. Their expertise is vital in addressing the unique communication and social challenges faced by these students. This comprehensive role encompasses enhancing receptive and expressive language, improving oral motor skills and speech clarity, fostering verbal and nonverbal communication, promoting social inclusion, and implementing early intervention strategies.
Here are some areas intervened by Speech Language Pathologists in Autism Centre of Excellence:
Assessment and Goal Setting:
SLP evaluates child’s capability and stimulability. It continues with individualized education program (IEP) goals and addresses specific areas of growth. Regular monitoring of progress can be done ensuring the strategies remain effective and are adjusted as needed to support the child’s development.
Communication Development:
Communication is essential part of human being to express needs, emotions, experiences, thoughts and strengthen relationships in between. We emphasize it verbally as well nonverbally to prevent possible barrier made by lack of communication.
- Speech Therapy: Here focus is on improving the physiological aspects of speech production. It addresses difficulties in producing specific sounds or words, voice quality, loudness, pitch, rate of speech improving clarity and intelligibility of speech in different environments. It includes multiple approaches like, Oral placement therapy, Muscle strengthening or movement exercises, Phonological correction therapy, Fluency therapy and research advances.
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication: The communication delivered in different way other than speech to enhance communication and social interactions is Alternative and Augmentative communication. For developing children, we are using various Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategies being No tech, Low tech as well High tech. It includes, American Sign
Language (ASL), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Choice board, Picture and text based AAC app etc. - Receptive & Expressive Language: Receptive language skills enable children to understand and process information, forming the foundation for effective learning and interaction. The contextual clarity is given by Flash Cards, Visual aids, Sequence Demonstrations, and Simplified language. Expressive language enables children to convey their thoughts effectively. It can be started with improving Vocabulary – Word Knowledge, and extended to contextual Application ensuring transferability to natural environments. Grammar – Sentence Construction, Sentence structure, Verb tense usage, and Pronoun application. Narrative Skills – Storytelling, using descriptive language, and Summarizing experiences enhances depth of communication as well expression.
Social Development:
Group therapy sessions integrated into classroom activities aims to actively engage children in community and encourage meaningful participation in society. These sessions foster improved relationships with peers, family members, and teachers, creating a supportive environment for promoting social and emotional growth.
Classroom Collaboration:
Implementing communication strategies in the classroom involves tailoring teaching methods to enhance interaction and understanding among students. This includes modifying curriculum materials to align with the specific communication needs of each student, ensuring all learners can engage effectively and access the content in a way that supports their individual development.