Speech / Language Therapy

Speech / language therapy plays another vital role in the life of a child with autism and other special needs. Speech can also encourage sensory integration through the use of oral motor and whistle/straw therapy as well as listening programs such as Earobics and Fast ForWord. Expressive language development allows the child to meet the basic need to communicate. Without the ability to effectively communicate, there are frustrations and a decreased chance at a productive life.

Developing the expressive language of a student not only increases his or her ability to express orally but also improves written expression.  Speech can also open the door to comprehension.  Working one on one and in small groups, a speech therapist can open the door to social language through games and conversation.  The therapists can also improve reading comprehension by helping the student understand the nuances of written language in areas of inferring, interpreting figures of speech, and analyzing writing strategies.

During therapy sessions, students can be found sitting on the floor, or on a swing or lying prone on a bean bag, or they may be fitted with weighted or pressure vests.  You can find us with our students in the therapy room, classroom, in the kitchen, on the playground, as well as between settings.  We incorporate ideas from music therapy to promote the development of language skills, communication, and social skills.  Working together with teachers and parents guides us in setting goals and priorities, thus providing therapy that is personal, functional, and relevant to the individual student:.

Communication is a basic need.  We strive to provide our students with communication skills that allow them to grow into responsible, community oriented individuals with a purpose.  With your help we can put in place programs developed by the team, incorporating measurable goals across settings, while addressing specific needs of our students.