XPOST: Speech issues and the school???

Please read!!!

Please offer your suggestions? Maybe I'm overreacting???

Re: XPOST: Speech issues and the school???

I'm an SLP and although I work in another state, we have similar requirements for a child to get an IEP. Since your child isn't have any social OR educational impact from the speech difficulties, he wouldn't qualify for an IEP. Does your school implement any kind of RtI approaches (response to intervention)? We do. A child like yours would go into my "speech improvement class" where he would be seen 2x/week for 30 minutes for a minimum of 16 weeks to work on his speech sound errors without being classified as having any type of disability or IEP.

The other option is always private speech therapy which may be covered by your insurance.

Re: XPOST: Speech issues and the school???

I work in exceptional Ed and have worked in a few districts here, including WCPSS. Those are the guidelines for qualifying for speech in public school...it has to impact their performance in school (it is the same for other related services, such as OT and PT), since it is bring paid for by the schools.

It would probably be best to consult a private SLP, and go through insurance.

Good luck!

Re: XPOST: Speech issues and the school???

I know it's not what you would want to hear, but I agree with the SLP's letter to you. We have the same requirements for services in my district. I would try going through your insurance. I'm sure the SLP could recommend a good outside provider.

Re: XPOST: Speech issues and the school???

I'm also an SLP in a school... in NJ. We have similar guidelines, and thats a pretty standard answer. in NJ, the student has to be past the age where 90% of the children have mastered that sound (EX: if, according to developmental charts, the "R" sound is mastered by 90% of kids at 9 years old... and the child is 9 and still not saying "R" correctly, they would qualify for speech in the schools).
OR it has to have some kind of impact on education (trouble being understood when they're talking, spelling mistakes that go along with the speech errors like writing wed instead of red).
Its hard... but the thing is- we pull kids out of class for 30-40 minutes for speech. So, they're missing a lot of a lesson during that time. so, if the kid's speech isn't HORRIBLE, it doesnt' make sense to be pulling them out of an important lesson in class....
I would look and see if your insurance covers some speech sessions. Sometimes even 6-8 weeks can help get you and him on the right track, and give you ideas to work with him at home.