Speech-Language Therapy

What is Speech-Language Therapy?
	Speech-language therapy is a support service for children with communication delays or disorders which affect academic, emotional and/or social development. Recognizing that communication is the foundation of all human interaction, BOCES is dedicated to providing quality speech-language evaluation, therapy and consultation services to our students and the school community. The Speech-Language Pathologist develops programs to help each student achieve and maintain his/her competence in communication, as well as educate those involved in the development of our children.
Who Receives Speech-Language Therapy?
	Our highly qualified Speech-Language Pathologists and Teachers of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped remediate communication challenges associated with, but not limited to, cerebral palsy and other neurologically-based diagnoses, learning disabilities, cleft palate, developmental delays, autism/pervasive developmental disorders, hearing impairment, mental retardation, and traumatic brain injury.
Where Do Children Receive Speech-Language Services?
	Children may be enrolled in the BOCES Preschool Program (ages 3-4 years), Special Education Classes (5-21 years), or Genesee Valley BOCES component schools (kindergarten through grade 12). Therapists often work with other specialists (occupational and physical therapists, vision therapists, audiology/hearing specialists), teachers, parents and physicians to coordinate services, for example, in the development of non-speech communication systems.
What Types of Services are Offered?
	Screenings, evaluation, treatment, and consultation are available. In addition, training workshops may be requested to broaden the knowledge of participants in the area of speech-language development, remediation techniques, and useful materials and strategies to help reinforce communication skills. Direct speech-language therapy sessions may be provided individually, or in groups. Consultation services involve collaboration with classroom teachers, parents, administrators, and other service providers in meeting the needs of students not requiring direct intervention.
What is the Expected Outcome of Therapy?
	The goal of therapy is to help children achieve their maximum communication potential. Specific communication challenges addressed may include:
	Phonology/Articulation Receptive Language Semantics/Vocabulary Expressive Language Grammar/Syntax Pragmatics/Social Language Total Communication/Sign	Augmentative/Assistive Communication Oral Motor Function/Swallowing/Feeding Auditory Processing Fluency Voice Speech Reading
How are Students Referred?
	Referral for speech-language therapy is determined through each students' Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) or through the Committee on Special Education (CSE). Parents, teachers and other school personnel can initiate requests to the CPSE or the CSE.