This paper presents a case study of successful intervention with a boy (in fourth grade at the time of the intervention) who would not speak in the school environment. Intervention involved medication with Fluoxetine to relieve anxiety, parental involvement, and a six-step behavioral therapy plan of gradually increasing speech demands in the…

Describes factors leading to the recent statewide introduction of speech-language paraprofessionals called speech-language pathology assistants (SLPA) in Kentucky's public schools. Also describes the licensure model, requirements for SLPA licensure, and the scope of practice associated with the position. Reports results of a survey indicating…

This article describes a functional approach to language intervention that uses storybook reading contexts with preschool children who exhibit delayed phonological development. Oral scaffolding techniques, including discussions of narrative structure and content words, provide the modeling and metalinguistic descriptions typically used in…

This article describes results of a survey of licensed Midwestern school-based speech-language pathologists (N=326) regarding methods used to assess the language of children ages 3 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, and 12 to 18 years. Striking similarities were found in methods used for each age group. The relationship of these methods to recommended…

A study examined the roles of 15 school speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The SLPs and resource teachers demonstrated similar types of language instruction. Oral language and speech were clearly specialty domains of the SLPs. The SLPs were also distinctive in terms of the instructional framework and service delivery structure. (Contains…

This article provides a case study of the development of classroom-based collaborative teams. Two speech-language pathology student clinicians worked with classroom teachers to implement a collaborative team model of service delivery in a Head Start Program. Clinician and supervisor journal entries illustrate the evolving nature of the…

A study compared the job satisfaction ratings of 1,207 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in schools with other workers. The majority of SLPs are generally satisfied (42.2%) or highly satisfied (34.1%) with their jobs. Older SLPs were more satisfied, as were those with longer careers and those with smaller caseloads. (Contains…

A study compared intelligibility and speech rate differences following speaker implementation of 3 strategies (topic, alphabet, and combined topic and alphabet supplementation) and a habitual speech control condition for 5 speakers with severe dysarthria. Combined cues and alphabet cues yielded significantly higher intelligibility scores and…

A woman with Down syndrome, who had shown selective mutism for more than 14 years, successfully participated in a program designed to reinforce communication and gradually increase the number of words spoken to one person and then to others. Nonaversive behavior methods were used and response initiative procedures were developed. (Contains…

A study investigated a consecutive series of 65 participants (ages 3-33) with a confirmed 22q11.2 deletion, to ascertain the frequency and severity of articulation difficulties, velopharyngeal impairment (VPI), and intelligibility. The majority had VPI; over half to such a degree that surgery had been performed or was considered necessary.…

Treatment of articulation/phonological disorders with electropalatography (in which speech learners wear a custom-made appliance called a pseudopalate in order to view their tongue-to-palate contacts on a computer monitor) is described. Studies of the treatment's effectiveness with children having articulation or phonological disorders are…

The impact of a disordered phonological system (expressive or receptive) on language development is examined. Research results and guidelines are presented for identification of critical intelligibility and phonological awareness deficiencies and for intervention. Options for expediting intelligibility gains and research findings on enhancing…

A study of 191 school-based British speech-language therapists and 165 based in health centers investigated the context in which collaborative working practices exist between teachers and speech-language therapists. Collaboration was most likely to occur in a special education setting and focus on intervention, rather than on assessment or…

Two groups of preschool and young school-aged children (n=9) with severe speech impairment received individual phonological awareness instruction utilizing two different methods: graphic symbols or graphic symbols with synthetic speech output. Children who used synthetic speech output demonstrated marked increases in natural speech production.…

Analysis of questionnaires and interviews with Tanzanian health and education professionals found that 41% reported having received training in speech and language difficulties but that 68% considered themselves responsible for assisting children with such problems. No evidence of research or planning for these children was found. A copy of the…