Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are specially trained professionals who have earned:
* A master's or doctoral degree
* Supervised post-graduate fellowship
* National examination
* The Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
* A state license and/or Department of Education certification
Language-Speech-Hearing Specialists (LSH Specialists) are specially trained professionals who have earned:
* A bachelor's degree
* Undergraduate education relating to communication science disorders
* Department of Education certification
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides Speech-Language Services for:
* School-age children with communication disorders that adversely affect children's educational performance
SLPs work with school children who have communication problems that affect success in:
- classroom activities
- social interaction
- literacy
- learning
SLPs have many roles in schools:
- Prevention of communication disorders
- identification of students at risk for later problems
- assessment of students' communication skills
- evaluation of the results of comprehensive assessments
- development and implementation of IEPs
- documentation of outcomes
- collaboration with teachers and other professionals
- advocacy for teaching practices
- participation in research projects
- supervision of assistants
- supervision of graduate students and clinical fellows
- participation in school wide curriculum and literacy teams