Speech and Language Therapy

Mary Jo Goethal, Belmont

    Traditionally, speech and language pathologists have addressed the needs of students with deficits in the areas of speech articulation, fluency, and receptive/expressive language.  Those needs were met therapeutically by pulling students out of class and working with them individually or in small groups. 

    We now recognize the value of providing a continuum of services that  ranges from consultation with parents and teachers to teaching whole classroom lessons to direct pull-out therapy.  The speech and language pathologist contributes unique knowledge, training and skills that can compliment those of the classroom teacher to enhance the learning environment for all children in the areas of literacy, study skills, and comprehension, but specifically, those with identified needs in the area of speech and language.  Those needs might be in any of the following areas:

Articulation               Semantics    
Morphology                 Phonology      
Syntax                        Pragmatics     
Fluency                       Voice               
Auditory Processing

Within Rockford Public Schools, speech and language services are available from pre-kindergarten (PPI) through 12th grade.                               

    For more information about speech and language pathology services and activities that promote speech and language development, visit the following websites: Belmont Elementary School Website

Activities That Promote Language Development - Specific language activities for children from birth to 4 years-old.

Early Childhood Education & Activity Resources - A wide variety of activities for children form the Idea Box.

American Speech, Language, Hearing Association - Provides information about specific communication disorders and the professions of speech and language pathology and audiology.