Literacy
Literacy refers to the ability to read and write. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) can evaluate and treat reading and writing difficulties. Spoken language is the foundation for literacy development, and children with speech and language delays and disorders are at higher risk for reading and writing difficulties.
Assessment
In order to evaluate a child's literacy skills, the SLP will collect information across a variety of areas, such as: oral language abilities, vocabulary knowledge, phonological awareness skills (i.e., awareness of sounds in words), oral comprehension and reading comprehension (i.e., understanding), phonics knowledge (i.e., letter-sound correspondence, spelling rules), decoding and encoding abilities (i.e., sounding out words), reading fluency, and writing skills. Gathering this information helps the SLP to understand areas of strength and need and will guide intervention planning, recommendations and next steps.
Intervention
Direct intervention to address specific literacy skills and goals may be recommended following an assessment. An individualized treatment plan will be developed based on your child's needs and what works best for your family.
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Therapy sessions are typically 30 or 45 minutes long. Parents are provided with suggestions and practice materials that can be used at home in between sessions to promote faster progress and generalization of skills.
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At ExpressAbility, we believe that ALL children can benefit from learning to read and write, including those with significant disabilities and complex communication needs.