Preschool Classroom: Better Hearing & Speech Month!
Posted on Mon, May 21, 2012
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!
Perhaps no one spends more time thinking about speech and hearing than the families and teachers of young children. I thought this was a great time to draw attention to communication disorders and interventions. Better Hearing and Speech Month is sponsored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and you’ll find lots of resources on their web site.
Here’s a little more information, courtesy of the Michigan State University Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders :
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"Speech and language disorders take many forms such as speech, articulation, voice, stuttering, aphasia, and oral language problems. They may be learning based, acquired, or the result of accidental injury or illness at any age. Speech and language disorders can limit academic achievement, social adjustment, and career advancement. "Fortunately, most people with speech and language problems can be helped," said Dr. Michael W. Casby, of the Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders, and Oyer Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at Michigan State University. "Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully develop or regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them achieve an improved quality of life."
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Families with questions about their child’s speech and hearing should talk to their pediatrician or health care provider. Teachers of young children can talk to the directors and administrators of their PreK or child care program. Screening and diagnostic services are available in all communities, often through the public schools.
You can also check out Child Find, a federally-funded “continuous process of public awareness activities, screening and evaluation designed to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all young children with disabilities and their families who are in need of Early Intervention Program (Part C) or Preschool Special Education (Part B/619) services of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)”
Finally, The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center provides lots of information about the early identification of a multitude of delays and disabilities. Visit their web site here.
Thank you for all you do for young children and their families each day!
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