Speech and Language Services

Communication skills are the single most important skills to ensure educational success.  Poor communication skills can interfere with a child’s ability to understand and participate in classroom instruction.  Good communication is important for speaking, listening, thinking, reading, writing and learning.

The mission of the Grosse Pointe Department of Speech-Language Pathology is to identify, evaluate to determine eligibility, develop and implement a plan for each individual student with communication needs, and help to ensure their success in the educational setting. Services include collaboration with teachers, consulting with parents and monitoring progress.  Delivery may include classroom based, small group or individual sessions.

We have approximately 18 certified speech-language pathologists in the district who serve 50-60 students apiece.

What kinds of disorders does a speech-language pathologist work with in schools?

Language Disabilities:  Slow development of vocabulary, concepts, grammar, and different communication styles for different situation – the “building blocks” for expressing or understanding ideas, social development, learning, reading, and writing.

Voice Disorders:  Speech that is too high, low, or monotonous in pitch; interrupted by breaks; too loud or too soft; or sounds harsh, hoarse, breathy or nasal.

Fluency or stuttering problems:  Interruption in the flow or rhythm of speech; can include hesitations, repetitions or prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases.

Articulation:  Substituting one sound for another, omitting a sound in a word, or distorting a sound.

(Information from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2003)

What programs and services are available if my child qualifies in need of speech and language services?

Children (birth-26 years of age) in Michigan who have communication disorders that adversely affect their education are eligible for services under the federal law, the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), and under additional state laws and local requirements.

Early Intervention:  This includes language-based services for children from birth to three.  This program typically consists of one to two hours of service per week and may include any of the services listed below.

Play and Say:  Children entering this program are primarily children identified as speech and language impaired.  Services typically consist of small group or individual speech therapy and a parent-toddler playgroup.

Early Childhood Preschool Program:  This program is structured to meet the needs of 3-5 year old children with varying disability.  Curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs of the children emphasizing their strengths and encouraging growth in the areas of cognition, language, fine motor, gross motor, social-emotional and daily living skills.

Kinder Talk: The Kinder Talk program is taught by a speech and language therapist who delivers speech and language services within a Kindergarten classroom.  The Grosse Pointe Public Schools general education kindergarten curriculum is the focus of daily activities and learning, with emphasis on various language skills.

Speech and Language Therapy:  Therapy programs include working with children who have communication problems that affect their success in the school setting.