Speech-language therapy
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Speech-language therapy is a service from a speech-language pathologist for students with speech, language, voice, fluency or social communication needs.
Topic: Services, placement and staff
In plain terms
In school, therapy can happen in a small group, one on one, in the classroom alongside lessons, or through consultation with teachers. It may target speech sounds, vocabulary and grammar, understanding directions, storytelling, conversation skills, stuttering, voice or AAC use. Depending on the state, it can be the student's special education itself or a related service.
How it shows up in an IEP
The SLP writes communication goals and records data by session. Goals tied to classroom demands, like answering questions about a text, make carryover easier, and teachers can collect some of the data in class.
Example
A third grader receives two 30-minute sessions a week: one in the therapy room on /r/ and one in the classroom practicing answering science questions in complete sentences.
The rule
Federal reference: 34 CFR §300.34(c)(15).
Related terms
- SLP (speech-language pathologist)An SLP is a licensed professional who evaluates and treats speech, language, voice, fluency, social communication and swallowing disorders.
- Related servicesRelated services are supports, such as speech therapy, transportation or counseling, that a student needs to benefit from special education.
- Speech or language impairmentSpeech or language impairment is an IDEA category for communication disorders, such as stuttering or language disorders, that affect learning.
- CarryoverCarryover is using a skill learned in therapy, such as a corrected speech sound, automatically in everyday settings and conversation.
- Push-in servicesPush-in services are special education or related services delivered inside the student's regular classroom during ongoing lessons.
On IEP Atlas
- Articulation IEP goals
- Expressive Language IEP goals
- Pragmatic Language IEP goals
- Speech and language IEP goals
This page describes special education terms and federal rules in general terms and is not legal advice. Our editorial policy explains how IEP Atlas writes and reviews content. Browse all 244 terms.