A school based speech-language pathologist is a trained professional who provides support for students whose communication impairment is affecting their access to the curriculum and academic progress. 

An SLP’s role is to:

•  Assess communication strengths and weaknesses

• Diagnose the communication deficits

• Develop a plan to help treat the disorder 

• Provide individual or group speech therapy to identified students

• Collaborate with teachers and school staff to meet needs identified in each IEP

ASHA Speech and Language Development Norms

Services for students with visual impairments range from itinerant services for students who do not need daily and direct instruction from a Teacher of the Visually Impaired to students whose visual impairment is such that direct instruction in a classroom is necessary in order to address compensatory or adaptive skills that result from the visual impairment.  

The services include specialized techniques and instructional materials designed for students who are blind or visually impaired and are appropriate for students whose learning media assessment recommends the use of Braille instruction, orientation and mobility, and the expanded core curriculum for Blind and Visually Impaired Children. These may also include compensatory skills, the use of assistive technology and/or adapted equipment.

Hearing Impairment Services provides support throughout the district to students diagnosed with hearing loss that impacts educational performance. Various service models are available, from itinerant teacher services to direct instruction in American Sign Language in one of the district-specialized classrooms.

Itinerant services focus on supporting students who do not need direct instruction from a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) daily. Itinerant DHH teachers provide instructional techniques and strategies to students and classroom staff, assist with IEP modifications and accommodations, and collaborate with the IEP Team in schools across Griffin-Spalding County. Potential services include an onsite DHH Teacher, speech-language therapy, and sign language interpreting to meet the unique communication, language, and educational needs of each DHH student.