This final report documents the achievements of the State of Georgia Department of Education Speech-Language Pathology Assessment Project (SPAP), which examined competencies needed by school speech-language pathologists and developed the Speech-Language Pathology Assessment Instrument (SPAI) to assess those competencies. Trainees, instructed in…

Thirty-three speech-language pathologists (SLPs) were interviewed and observed by two teams of evaluators using a generic teacher performance assessment instrument. Interviews and therapy observations were recorded on videotape and all Ss were rated on their overall demonstration of competence by a panel of practitioners and teacher educators. As…

A British therapy administrator comments on the role of speech therapists in providing services to children with special needs and bilingual children. The therapist's role on the interdisciplinary team is reviewed, particularly regarding the assessment implication of the Warnock Report and The 1981 Education Act. (CL)

Once limited to correcting articulation and lisps, speech-language pathologists now work with students with wide-ranging disabilities and educational needs. Principals should support their efforts to help teachers integrate speech and language goals with students' academic objectives, conduct screening and diagnostic assessments, develop…

A three-dimensional framework for defining different aspects of natural learning environments is used to organize and describe natural communication intervention practices. Seven applicable communication intervention methods and strategies easily implemented in natural environments by speech therapists are described, as are reflective procedures.…

Professional role performance difficulties experienced by 23 first year itinerant specialists in the field of special education were studied in Illinois public schools (excluding Chicago). An itinerant specialist is a teacher with specialized training in a particular disability who provides services to students on a homebound basis, in a hospital…

This report evaluates the availability of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to provide federally required services to students with disabilities in Ohio schools. Findings include the following: (1) while there is a general shortage of therapists, schools tend to have more difficulty…

In diagnosis and treatment of auditory processing disorders, roles of the following professionals on interdisciplinary teams are examined: classroom teacher, reading teacher, speech-language pathologist, psychologist, parent, and audiologist. (CL)

The report summarizes achievements of a 3 year project to provide continuing education to speech-language-hearing clinicians and special education personnel via a speaker telephone. Committees were formed in each participating district to plan for staff development based on local needs. Consultants chosen to present training were asked to mail any…

Examined mainstreaming modifications judged to be important by ancillary professionals in recommending mainstreaming of students with mild exceptionalities. Data revealed that no significant differences were noted in number of selected modifications as function of diagnostic category. Ancillary staff members indicated, however, that substantial…

A survey of 775 early childhood intervention professionals examined their perceptions toward the integration of special services into regular classrooms. Results showed that special educators were most likely to use and favor integrated services, followed by occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists.…

This paper synthesizes information about shortages among the professions working with young children with disabilities, birth through age 5, and their families. The paper begins with a look at national data on personnel working in early intervention and preschool special education. Distinctions between the work force in early intervention (Part H…

Project TIE (Teams in Early Intervention) was conceptualized to meet the need for: (1) involvement of formerly "ancillary" service professionals in early intervention for children with disabilities, (2) high quality family-centered services, and (3) training in the team approach. The project provides training to four groups that might constitute…

This survey investigated caseloads and time associated with assessing, planning, developing, and updating Individualized Education Programs and providing direct and indirect instructional services, for 100 special education resource room teachers and 80 speech pathologists. Special education teachers saw more students during an instructional…

A survey was developed to identify critical factors in job selection and retention for speech/language pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. The survey was completed by 455 New Mexico professionals in these disciplines. A principal-components analysis identified six factors that were important in career decisions: (1)…