Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy Contact: Katie Elsasser

The Speech and Language Therapist evaluates a student’s ability to communicate and may offer programming to promote language development, receptive and expressive language, pragmatics and conversational skills. Oral motor skills for articulation and feeding are evaluated and may be addressed by the therapist.

The speech therapist works closely with the audiologist or hearing therapist to evaluate and assist students with hearing loss. Our speech therapists check student hearing in conjunction with the school nurse. For students with deaf-blindness, the therapist works with student, family, and teachers to develop a communication method that will work for that child. This may include American Sign Language, gesture systems, object reference systems or picture schedules. 

The speech therapist functions as part of a team with PT, OT, teacher, and family to determine if Augmentative Communication devices may assist a student. The therapist may work with a lending company to try a variety of devices with a student. The speech therapist sets up the communication device and works with teaching staff to ensure it meets the student’s needs and communication opportunities.