Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess and treat speech and language skills. They are also qualified to assess and treat additional issues, including—but not limited to—written language skills and cognition/executive functions. The following list highlights skills I assess and teach and includes specific signs that suggest the need for a referral to a speech-language pathologist. If your child struggles with any of these issues, please contact me at 615-406-1798 or jen@jensmithslp.com. (This list is not exclusive and does not represent an SLP’s entire scope of practice.)
Speech and Language Testing and Therapy
**Speech involves how we speak.
A child with a speech difficulties may
omit, substitute, and/or distort speech sounds.
stutter and/or speak too quickly or slowly.
**Language involves what we communicate.
A child with expressive language limitations may
use limited, incorrect, or non-specific vocabulary.
produce gramatically-incorrect sentences.
omit verb tense markers.
use simple sentence structures.
have problems retrieving words from their memory.
not use appropriate eye contact, stay on topic, or take turns in conversation.
struggle with describing events using appropriate details and structure.
A child with a receptive language issues may have difficulty
understanding word meanings/vocabulary.
remembering verbal instructions.
comprehending stories that are told to them.
understanding particular grammatical markers.
recognizing verbal and nonverbal communication cues from other
Literacy Assessment and Training
**Written langauge involves comprehension (i.e., reading) and production (i.e., writing) of written language.
A child who struggles with reading may have difficulty
segmenting and/or identifying sounds in words.
"sounding out" (i.e., decoding) words.
recognizing sight words.
reading effortlessly and fluently.
comprehending what they read.
A child with writing difficulties may produce
a limited variety of sentence structures.
gramatically-incorrect sentences.
incomplete and/or run-on sentences.
poorly organized sentences, paragraphs, and/or overall texts.
sentences with incorrect capitalization or punctuation.
A child who struggles with spelling may not
efficiently detect specific sounds in words.
correctly link letter/letter patterns to sounds.
detect and correct misspellings.
consistently use previous learned spellings.
Executive Function Coaching
**Executive functions are the higher-level cognitive skills that help us plan and carry out actions.
A child with a executive function difficulties may struggle with
initiating or completing a task.
planning and organizing.
setting or keeping a schedule.
remembering materials for home/school.
holding information in their memory.