What is Speech-Language Pathology?
Speech-language pathology services support academic success, as well as the social and emotional well-being of students. In schools, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) can assist students with:
- Speaking (speech sounds, language expression, voice, fluency, resonance, communication, vocabulary development)
- Listening (language understanding, vocabulary development, following directions, processing)
- Augmentative-alternative communication (AAC)
- Literacy Skills (phonological and phonemic awareness, comprehension, written expression, background knowledge)
- Social Skills (play, friendships, turn-taking, social communication)
What does a Speech-Language Pathologist do in the school setting?
- Prevention: Our interventions can prevent literacy and secondary behaviour problems.
- Collaboration: We contribute to educational goal setting, planning and curriculum accessibility. We work closely with other Clinicians, Learning Support Teachers, Classroom Teachers, and Educational Assistants to support programming.
- Modelling: We participate in team teaching and model intervention activities to caregivers and other educators.
- Adaptations: We recommend task adaptations such as graphic organizers or ways to access tasks using technology or hands-on activities (i.e. communication iPad) that help students participate in their classrooms.
- Screening & Assessment: Group-administered or one-one-one screenings and assessments guide our interventions and inform school decisions about programming.
- Identification: We identify speech, language, and communication challenges that directly impact student success.
- Intervention: Our evidence-informed interventions include individual treatment (e.g. speech sounds), small and large group instruction, as well as consulting with other educators.
Information adapted from https://www.sac-oac.ca/ Role of SLPs in Schools.
How do you access Speech-Language support?
If you think your child would benefit from SLP support, contact your school’s Learning Support Teacher, or your child’s classroom teacher!
Have you seen our Playground Communication Boards?
HSD’s Communication Boards: https://steinbachonline.com/articles/hsd-communication-boards-successful-helping-kids-with-no-voice-have-a-voice
LINKS:
Phonological Awareness Activities
https://fcrr.org/student-center-activities
AAC Information (Open Access Resource Centre)
Speech Sound Videos
https://peachiespeechie.com/pages/peachie-speechie-videos
Developmental Language Disorder
https://dldandme.org/#what-is-dld
Meet the Staff
Stacey Marcoux
Stacey has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Hanover School Division since 2006. Prior to that, she spent 4 years working with children from birth to 5 with Manitoba Possible in Winnipeg and Thompson. Stacey’s passion is working with non speaking children, collaborating with school teams and families to discover ways to give children with complex communication needs a voice. Outside of work, Stacey enjoys spending time with her family, walking her two dogs, reading, and attending outdoor concerts.
Anna Wilgosh
Anna has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Hanover School Division for 25 years. She loves collaborating with school teams and other clinicians while supporting students in being successful at school. Anna strongly believes in the importance of establishing authentic relationships with students and connecting with families. Outside of work, Anna enjoys reading, listening to live music and spending time with her family.
Jamie DesJarlais
Jamie graduated from the University of Alberta in 2014, and has been practicing as an SLP in HSD since that time. Jamie loves collaborating with school teams and other clinicians to develop creative and engaging plans for her students. She prides herself on being flexible to meet the needs of her diverse school teams. Jamie is also passionate about supporting students’ with complex communication needs in their speech language development. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys live music, golf, curling, and going on adventures with her family.
Elizabeth Grauer
Elizabeth has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in schools since graduating from UBC in 2017. Elizabeth enjoys problem-solving with families and school teams to support students in reaching their communication goals, and strives to practice from a neurodiversity affirming lens. Elizabeth has been working to create divisional opportunities for students with diverse needs to engage with their peers in an inviting and inclusive environment. In her spare time, Elizabeth loves to snack, curl, and play with her dog, Bruno.
Stephanie Kyle
Stephanie graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2022, and has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist with Hanover School Division since then. After living in Grand Forks for 2 years, she moved back home to rural Manitoba to complete her practical experience placements with Hanover School Division and with the Manitoba FASD Assessment Team at SSCY. Prior to working as an SLP, Stephanie worked at a bilingual daycare center with preschool-aged children, where she discovered her passion for supporting speech-language development and fundamental communication skills in children. Stephanie got married in 2023, and enjoys spending her free time going camping with her husband and her dog.
in: Speech Pathology