Emily Gammon MS CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech therapist at Child and Family Development.  She is offering 5 TIPS on a monthly basis to expand communication opportunities for all! 

Often times, parents can become uneasy at the beginning of the school year hoping that they and their child(ren) will get along with their new teacher(s). This can be especially difficult if the child has speech and/or language difficulties. Try these tips:  

1. Foster an open line of communication early on in the school year. It is okay to ask for emails and updates about how your child is doing during school and activities and skills that your child is working on.
2. Inform the teacher(s) about the community services your child receives as well as the therapy goals. If the teachers the child‚Äôs strengths and weaknesses, ways to help him express himself and understand others via appropriate compensatory strategies, they will be able to support your child in the classroom successfully. 
3. Foster an open line of communication between school staff and therapist(s). It can be helpful for the professionals working with your child to communicate about therapeutic activities, school activities, mastered skills and ways to overlap and reinforce one another’s strategies. An Authorization For Release Of Information form is required for this communication. 
4. Schedule regular meetings with teacher(s). Share details about your child’s functional skills, ways the teacher can support the child and what you will do at home to facilitate school success. 
5. Discuss ideas for community involvement and extracurricular activities with your child‚Äôs teacher. They may have great suggestions related to academics and grade-level expectations. 

Our team of speech therapists can help your child be successful in school and other settings.