Speech-language pathology serves to establish a person’s communication abilities. One role that should be played by a speech-language pathologist is that of identifying students who may need assessment pertaining to speech disorders. Through screenings and referrals, a speech-language pathologist should be able to determine, among the students, who may need a full assessment.
According to Vinson, after carrying out the assessment, a speech-language pathologist can then establish whether a particular student requires therapy.
If indeed a student requires therapy, the pathologist then plans on how to go about treating the student.
Making referrals to other professionals should also be a vital role that a pathologist plays. The speech-language pathologist may require the services of other professionals. If such is the case, the pathologist may then make referrals to the relevant professionals.
Providing intervention measures to treat the disorder should be the responsibility of the pathologist. This involves coming up with strategies and implementing the same, as is required in dealing with the condition.
It should be the role of the speech-language pathologist to provide guidance and counseling services to parties that require such services. This includes teachers, students, and parents of affected students. Vinson asserts that guidance services should involve individualized work with teachers, parents, and students. They should also provide information to the relevant parties.
SLPs should be trained in teaching methods. Since they are integrated into the academic system to cater to those students with speech disorders, it is vital that they possess relevant skills to enable them to relate well with the students. Also, the fact that they play the role of guidance and counseling, it is quite necessary to have them trained on how to handle the students on a teacher’s level.
It is important that teachers do integrate SLPs in the classroom. Students with speech disorders may need tutorial assistance in resource rooms. Teachers should develop a curriculum to be used in the resource room that supports the general education curriculum. This will facilitate ease of operation by both the SLP and the students. The use of cooperative teaching is also a way by which teachers can help integrate the SLP in the classroom. Cooperative learning will involve contributions by SLP and the teacher in both the general education program and special education program.