Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are essential members of educational teams supporting students with speech, language, literacy and communication challenges to achieve their academic and personal potential. SLPs enhance student outcomes by facilitating student access, participation and inclusion in the curriculum, as well as in the broader school environment.
Access and Supports
Our SLPs offer consultative supports to teachers and children in specialized classes. They also provide screening, assessment, intervention, and teacher collaboration for children experiencing communication, language and literacy challenges that
significantly impact their learning and participation in kindergarten to Grade 2. Services are also available to students with complex communication needs requiring augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Through a collaborative approach, SLPs work with school learning teams to identify and support students with significant challenges participating and learning due to difficulties with communication. The SLP provides a continuum of services at the universal, targeted, and specialized levels to support the implementation of strategies to meet student needs.
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) offers a variety of SLP supports for school-aged students with communication challenges. Alberta Health Services (AHS) provides additional SLP services to preschool and school-aged children through their Pediatric Community Rehabilitation services.
Alberta Health Services (AHS)
AHS Pediatric Community Rehabilitation Services provides family-centered services that focus on prioritized functional goals within home and community environments. These services are not provided at school.
AHS provides support to children and their families in the following areas:
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Speech sound disorders (including apraxia)
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Fluency / stuttering
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Feeding / Swallowing
Visit
Pediatric Rehabilitation at Alberta Health Services for a complete listing of services and how to access them. Parents may self-refer their children at 403-910-2070.
Calgary Board of Education Services
Our SLPs provide support for students experiencing communication challenges that impact learning and participation in the classroom in the following areas:
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Receptive language - understanding of oral and written language
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Expressive language - use of oral and written language
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Literacy
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Complex Communication Needs (CCN) – students who cannot use speech alone to communicate and may benefit from using AAC tools or devices.
Parents with concerns regarding their child’s language, literacy, or complex communication needs are encouraged to discuss this with their child’s teacher or school.
Service Delivery and School Support
Consultation and Collaboration
Speech-language consultation and collaboration may involve collaboration with school staff to provide universal classroom strategies, whole group lessons, and consultation on developing Individual Program Plans (IPP).
Professional Learning and Parent Sessions
The Speech-Language Pathologists may offer topic-focused learning sessions for education staff and parents to further promote student success in developing their language and literacy skills.
Assessment
The Speech-Language Pathologist provides individual assessment to children experiencing communication concerns that are significantly impacting their learning. This assessment helps determine the strategies to support student success through IPP development, classroom strategies and intervention.
Intervention
Language Intervention may involve supporting the student in the classroom, in a small group or an individual session, and collaborating with the teacher and educational support staff to determine the tools and strategies to promote communication success and curriculum access. The focus of intervention includes the understanding and use of language (e.g., understanding the teacher’s directions, ability to answer a question and share ideas), phonological awareness and early literacy development, as well as complex communication needs, including provision and support in the use of low technology (e.g., picture symbols) and high technology communication tools (e.g., speech generating device).
