Impact of speech & language disorders on academics

Speech and language skills are essential to academic success and learning. Learning takes place through the process of communication. The ability to communicate with peers and adults in the educational setting is essential for a student to succeed in school. Spoken language provides the foundation for the development of reading and writing. Spoken and written language have a reciprocal relationship – each builds on the other to result in general language and literacy competence, starting early and continuing through childhood into adulthood. Children with communication disorders frequently do not perform at grade level. They may struggle with reading, have difficulty understanding and expressing language, misunderstand social cues, avoid attending school, show poor judgment, and have difficulty with tests. Speech and language disorders can affect the way children talk, understand, analyse or process information.Difficulty in learning to listen, speak, read, or write can result from problems in language development. Problems can occur in the production, comprehension, and awareness of language sounds, syllables, words, sentences, and conversation. Individuals with reading and writing problems also may have trouble using language to communicate, think, and learn.Parents and teachers should refer any student who shows signs of a speech-language disorder or delay to the school-based child study team which involves guidance counsellors, social workers, Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) and Special Educators, or refer them to specialised therapeutic centres. SLPs work with diagnostic and educational evaluation teams to provide comprehensive language and speech assessments for students. Services to students with speech-language disorders may be provided in individual or small group sessions, in classrooms when teaming with teachers or in a consultative model with teachers and parents. SLPs integrate student’s speech-language goals with academic outcomes and functional performance.When working with pre-schoolers, SLPs usually focus on the basics of pronunciation, improving the accuracy of sound production, and increasing vocabulary and syntax. This might be done with rhyming games, play activities, and imaginary conversations. When working with middle and high-schoolers, however, the focus shifts to improving vocabulary through the use of class-work based exercises, and working on spelling and grammar skills. As high-schoolers get close to graduation, moving from supportive world of education out into real life can be difficult for impaired students, and SLPs can ease that transition by helping individuals come up with specific plans for dealing with real-world situations they will encounter outside of the school system.In countries where such facilities are not yet part of the mainstream schools, Speech-language Training or therapy services at Special Education Centres can help children become effective communicators, problem-solvers and decision-makers. The services that speech-language pathologists provide can help children overcome their disabilities, achieve pride and self-esteem, and find meaningful roles in their lives. Parents who have concerns regarding their children’s speech or language should schedule a screening and evaluation because starting early assures better results and impact.* The author is Speech & Language Therapist, HOPE Qatar Centre for Special Needs