Speech-language pathologists and reading achievement

Literacy is an essential prerequisite to students' academic achievement, social wellbeing, and lifetime opportunities. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have the specialized knowledge and experience that's needed to identify communication disorders and provide the help that children need to build their language literacy skills. School SLPs help children with speech sounds, spoken language and literacy, social communication, cognitive communication, and assistive technology. SLPs play an important role in both special education and regular education settings:

• Provide classroom-based services
• Co-teach with classroom teachers and reading specialists
• Work with students who are at risk for reading difficulties and with children who are experiencing academic failure
• Provide training to parents, teachers, and administrators to help support students' academic and social success

For more information, see the ASHA Back-to-School Digital Toolkit from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Here are a few of the helpful resources from the toolkit:

• Infographic: How We Help: SLPs in Your Child's School
• Video: Getting to Know Your School's Speech Language Pathologist
• Video: A Parent’s Guide to Speech, Language, and Hearing Services in Schools