National Speech Pathologist Day, May 18

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Connecting and understanding the world around you and being ‘heard’ can be life-altering to a child and enhance their school experience.

National Speech Pathologist Day is Wednesday, May 18. The observation is an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders. Speech-language-hearing pathologists and audiologists provide life-changing treatment and services for many children affected by these disorders.

Imagine the child who can’t hear or hear clearly to understand what they are hearing or being taught in the classroom. Or the child with a speech disorder or impediment, making it difficult for them to express or communicate with others.

Children need language, literacy, and social skills appropriate for their age level to succeed in school. For children to have those skills at the target age level, they need to have been identified early and provided with resources, interventions, and support to develop their brain with information and knowledge.

Speech-language-hearing pathologists and audiologists promote students’ academic and social well-being in different learning environments.

Good access to classroom information and modifications are essential for students with hearing loss or speech impediments to succeed in school. Pathologists and audiologists may work with kids one-on-one or in small groups or co-teach lessons with the classroom teacher. These educational specialists determine if the child needs technology and therapy. They determine if instruction or the classroom needs to be modified and work with families to support their child at home.

Bottom line, educational speech-language-hearing pathologists and audiologists advocate for each student under their care to ensure they have what they need to be successful.

According to Tracy Bailey, executive director of special education, early intervention is essential. While treatment at any age is worthwhile, the earlier the child receives it is usually most effective.

Spotlight on a Speech Language Pathologist

Individuals like Angelia Daniel, a speech language pathologist at Kujawa Elementary School, make a difference and impact students’ lives. Earlier this spring, the Texas Speech-Language and Hearing Foundation (TSHF) recently named Daniel the recipient of the 2022 Burtis/Vogel and Elkins Community Service Award for her work in the Houston community.

Daily, Angelia works with students and gives feedback on progress and encouragement to them and their families. She also provides tips and suggestions to work on at home.

The 14-year veteran pathologist is a respected staff member at the campus and district levels.

“I have worked with Angelia for over 10 years, and the excitement that I see from our students once they have finished a session with her is a joy to see. Her innovative approach to teaching our students to become communicators, risk-takers, and lifelong learners is evident daily,” said Principal Kim Jenkins. “Angelia can see what each child brings to the class. Her whole teaching approach involves finding and using children’s unique strengths to help them overcome their struggles and develop a positive self-concept. She connects with families to ensure every child has a voice and is very active in the community. We love having Angelia on campus. She is a trailblazer in speech therapy.”

Key Benefits of Early Treatment

• Maximizes a child’s success — Early treatment can later reduce the need for school-based services.
• Saves time and money — It can take less time and fewer out-of-pocket expenses to treat a communication delay or disorder when families act on the early warning signs. Many early intervention programs offer free or low-cost services to children from birth to 3 years of age and their families. They also can link families to other community supports.
• Prepares a child for kindergarten — What happens between birth and age 3 lays the foundation for kindergarten readiness. Strong speech, language, cognitive, and social skills are necessary for reading, writing, academic success, and all the other demands of school.
• Sets a child on a course to school, social, and life success — All families want what’s best for their children. Early intervention can have positive, long-lasting effects on your child’s communication, social relationships, learning, and daily life activities in childhood and into adulthood.

Do You Want to Learn More?

Learn more about the benefits of early identification and treatment at IdentifytheSigns.org. If you are concerned that your child has a speech impairment, please reach out to your child’s primary school (EC/PreK/K) for more information.

To learn more about the services and resources, Aldine ISD provides students, visit our Let’s Talk, the district’s two-way communication platform. Submit any questions to the Special Education Department.