Speech & Language

Our Speech & Language Program

Our staff of approximately 50 speech-language pathologists “SLPs” provide therapy services to approximately 1600 speech-language impaired students in the Green Bay Area School district. Our goal is for all students to meet their communication potential so that they are college, career and community ready.

What is a Speech-Language Impairment?

Per PI.11.36 (5)(a), a speech-language impairment is an impairment of speech or sound production, voice, fluency, or language which significantly affects educational performance, or social-emotional, or vocational development.

Students must meet state eligibility criteria and need special education in order to qualify for speech-language services at an IEP meeting.  At times, a student may receive speech-language services through the related service model, when therapy is necessary to benefit from special education services in the primary disability area.

Services: Speech-language therapy is provided for students between the ages of 3-21. SLPs provide services in all public schools, as well as many daycare's and parochial schools within the Green Bay Public School District boundaries. Therapy can be provided in the classroom, or in a smaller pullout setting within the school, depending on the needs of the student.

SLPs work with students, staff, and families to;

• Evaluate and determine eligibility for special education

• Use individualized strategies that might include:

• Language therapy: These activities build skills (such as following directions, concept knowledge, understanding and answering questions, etc….) in a variety of ways, including modeling and giving kids feedback. The therapist might use pictures, classroom curriculum, books or play-based therapy

• Articulation therapy: The SLP models sounds the child has difficulty producing. This might include demonstrating how to move the tongue and lips to create specific speech sounds for increased speech intelligibility.

• Fluency therapy:  The SLP models and teaches fluency enhancing techniques and provides opportunities for the student to use these strategies in a variety of situations.

• Voice therapy: The SLP works students with diagnosed vocal disorders that are amenable to change and impact their ability to communicate. This could encompass working with students to use the appropriate pitch, resonance, or to reduce vocal abuse that results in vocal fold polyps or nodules.

• Collaborate with regular education teachers and staff to support communication across all school environments

• Provide augmentative and alternative methods of communication for students with identified needs.

Resources

Early Childhood Child Find (English Brochure)

Early Childhood Child Find (Spanish Brochure)

CDC Developmental Milestones Checklist