How many times do we talk or listen to someone each day? How often do we read or write? If we count all these moments, it's clear that we communicate almost every minute during school, and in our free time.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identify which aspects of communication are causing trouble and how these issues affect students. Difficulties can impact students in various ways, such as:
Struggling to understand or follow instructions
Having trouble expressing their thoughts
Facing challenges with reading and writing
Struggling to participate in group discussions or activities
And leisure activities like:
Sharing what happened during the day
Understanding humor
Watching a movie
SLPs are like communication coaches for students who need help. They teach strategies for better understanding and using language, which helps build literacy skills for lifelong learning. For new SLPs just starting their careers, understanding these impacts can help shape your approach to working with students.
We'll share with you a deeper understanding of the rewarding and fulfilling work of SLPs and how it directly impacts students. You'll learn how SLPs make schoolwork more enjoyable and help students build the confidence they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.
How SLPs Assist Students in Different Areas
Good communication helps students and children learn new things, make friends, and participate in activities. When students struggle to communicate, it can lower their confidence and make it harder for them to do well in school.As a new SLP, you'll have the opportunity to work across all these areas and help you build a broad skill set that can support you in your career:
Articulation: Some students might have trouble saying certain sounds. For instance, they might say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit." SLPs help them learn to make these sounds so others can understand them better.
Language skills: This includes understanding what others say (receptive language) and using words correctly to express themselves (expressive language). SLPs might help a child who has trouble following instructions or finds it hard to put their thoughts into words.
Fluency: Some children may stutter or have other fluency problems. SLPs work with them to develop techniques that improve their speech and increase their confidence.
Social communication: This involves using language appropriately in various social situations. SLPs help students learn how to take turns when talking, understand body language, and use the right words in different situations. This is important for children with autism or social communication disorders.
Literacy: Reading and writing are also part of communication. SLPs assist children who have trouble with phonics, reading comprehension, and writing skills. They use fun activities to help kids recognize letters, sounds, and words.
Feeding and swallowing: Although not directly related to communication, some SLPs also help children with trouble eating or swallowing, which can affect their overall health and well-being.
Understanding the Work of Speech-Language Pathologists in Literacy Development
Research shows that children with speech production difficulties, such as speech sound disorders (SSD), are at a higher risk for reading problems.¹ While SLPs mainly focus on improving speech and language, they also help with reading and writing.
Literacy involves understanding and using written language, and many children who have speech and language problems also find it hard to read and write. Here are some ways you can support students' literacy development:
Phonological Awareness
One of the fundamental skills for reading is phonological awareness, which is the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words. SLPs use various activities to improve this skill.
For example, you can play rhyming games in which students identify words that sound alike or use sound exercises in which students break down words into individual sounds.
These activities help students become more aware of the sounds in language, which is a critical precursor to reading. When a speech-language pathologist develops strong phonological awareness, students are better prepared to learn to read and spell.
Vocabulary Building
A rich vocabulary is important for both reading comprehension and expressive writing. SLPs focus on expanding students' vocabulary by engaging in activities and introducing new words in context. For example, you can use storytelling, reading books, or playing word games that incorporate new vocabulary.
Seeing and using these words in different situations helps students understand their meanings and use them correctly in their speech and writing. Engaging with new words also improves their ability to interpret what they read and express their ideas more clearly.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding what is read is just as important as being able to decode or read the words. As a speech-language pathologist, you must use various strategies to improve students' comprehension skills.
They might ask predictive questions to help students guess what might happen next in a story, discuss different elements of the story, like characters and settings, and encourage students to summarize what they've read in their own words. SLPs also focus on helping kids to make inferences and answer questions about the text.
For instance, after reading a story, an SLP might ask "Why do you think the character did that?" to encourage inferential thinking, or "What happened after the main event?" to practice answering different types of questions.
These techniques help students make connections between different parts of the text and understand the material more deeply.
Writing Skills
Writing involves several key skills, such as spelling, grammar, and organizing thoughts. SLPs support students in developing these skills through various steps in the writing process:
An SLP helps students brainstorm ideas for a writing assignment by asking questions and encouraging them to think of interesting topics and details.
You could also assist the student in creating a graphic organizer or outline to arrange their ideas logically before writing. Creating an outline helps the student visualize the structure of their writing and how their ideas fit together.
While the student writes their draft, the SLP provides feedback on constructing sentences, using appropriate vocabulary, and ensuring their writing flows well.
After the initial draft, the SLP helps the student review their work, focusing on improving grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They also suggest ways to make the writing clearer and more engaging.
The SLP guides the student through a final review of their work, checking for any remaining errors and ensuring the writing is polished and ready for submission.
How SLPs Make a Big Difference Beyond Communication
Nothing is more exciting than the joy of making a student's life a little easier and boosting their confidence. Imagine a student who struggled to pronounce difficult words like "squirrel" but, with your support, finally gets it right. That moment of success improves their speech and builds their self-esteem!
Growing confidence in their ability to communicate empowers students to express themselves clearly. As a result, they're more likely to participate in classroom discussions, interact more comfortably with their peers, and feel less anxious about speaking up. Your work gives them the confidence to take on new challenges in school and their personal lives.
As they become more confident in their communication skills, they also become more confident in their overall abilities. They can better manage academic tasks with a positive attitude and are equipped to handle social interactions.
That's why your role as an SLP is crucial in building student's confidence. Your work significantly impacts their self-assurance and overall educational experience. Witnessing student breakthroughs is incredibly rewarding and can fuel your passion for the field!
CREATE A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS FEEL CONFIDENT AND SUPPORTED WITH INVO HEALTHCARE
At Invo Healthcare, we are visionaries committed to transforming the lives of children and their families. We extend this vision to you by providing the resources, tools, and expert guidance to help you develop improved skills and reach your goals.
With our support, you can create a brighter future for your students and yourself, ensuring that every step of the journey is met with confidence and success. Connect with our team to benefit from our expert guidance and turn your aspirations into reality.
Reference
- Tambyraja, Sherine R., et al. "Reading Risk in Children with Speech Sound Disorder: Prevalence, Persistence, and Predictors." Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, vol. 63, no. 11, 13 Nov. 2020, pp. 3714-3726, files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1281182.pdf, https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00108.
