School-based speech and language pathologists (SLPs) work with students who have speech and language disorders that affect their ability to succeed in school.

Speech disorders include difficulty:

• producing speech sounds correctly or fluently
• with his or her voice or resonance

Language disorders include difficulty:

• understanding others
• sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings

Language disorders may be spoken or written. They may involve the form, content, and/or use of language.

Social communication disorders include difficulty:

• with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication

People with social communication disorders may also have trouble:

• communicating for social purposes (e.g., greeting, commenting, asking questions)
• talking in different ways to suit the listener and setting
• following rules for conversation and story-telling

All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have social communication problems. Individuals with traumatic brain injury may also have social communication disorders.

Cognitive-communication disorders include difficulty:

• organizing thoughts
• paying attention
• remembering
• planning
• problem-solving

Our specialists can help by:

• consulting with families and staff
• assessing students’ communication skills
• determining special education eligibility
• collaborating with the IEP team to develop communication goals
• providing therapy services for students
• monitoring IEP goal progress and reporting to families
• supporting the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for individuals