Speech/Language Therapy

Emmaus High School

     Good communication skills are essential for success in life.  The role of the speech/language therapist is to improve communication abilities of speech/language-disordered students with the framework of the school curriculum.  Areas of concentration in the therapy setting are:

• articulation
• language (including vocabulary, syntax, self-expression, and pragmatics)
• fluency
• voice
• augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Therapy services for eligible students may be provided directly to the student, by consulting regularly with parents/staff, or a combination of direct and consultative services, dependent upon the student's needs.

Informational links

Articulation disorders and related information                                                                       

Pragmatics and language development

Autism Society of America

General Information on Autism

Asperger's Syndrome

Down Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

     The technology available for students who are non-verbal or who have significant difficulty with communication due to physical involvement continues to advance and improve.  PaTTAN has a wealth of information available to educators and parents alike, including seminars, short-term equipment loans, workshops, and literature.  Also,Temple University's PIAT initiative provides programs, education, and short-term equipment loans.

     Successful implementation of assistive technology into the curriculum as well as into the home environment involves advance planning.  For information related to implementation planning for assistive technology, please visit NATRI's web site.

Special Education Information

     For general information on Special Education, the Internet Public Library's Education page has links to a variety of sites on general and special education, as well as for specific types of disabilities. 

Logo courtesy of ASHA.  Used with permission.