Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. What are Non-Mandated speech therapy services?
2. Will my child receive summer speech therapy services?
3. Does my child have an articulation delay?
4. Who makes a referral for a speech-language evaluation?
5. What is the Learning Improvement Team (LIT)?
6. What is the Committee of Special Education (CSE)?

What are Non-Mandated speech therapy services?

Non-mandated services are speech therapy services offered to children in 
general education classes grades kindergarten through second grade.  
Children 
need to qualify for this service by being evaluated by the school speech 
therapist, determined to have a speech (articulation) or language delay 
AND the delay must adversely effect educational performance.

Back to Top

Will my child receive summer speech therapy services?

To receive summer speech therapy services a child needs to be classified 
with having a disability under special education and must demonstrate 
substantial regression of skills over extended breaks (holidays recess, long 
weekends)during the current school year. The committee of special education 
determines eligiblity of this service based on the speech therapist's 
recommendations and team input. Your input is also welcome.

Back to Top

Does my child have an articulation delay?

Young children develop speech sounds at different ages. There are speech 
sound norms based on at what age children (on the whole) should acquire a 
specific sound. Speech sound acquistion varies among boys and girls.  It is 
common for kindergartners to mispronounce /r/, /l/, /s/, and /th/.  Reading 
to your child and emphasizing these sounds when reading outloud will help 
with the natural development of these sounds in your child's speech.  If you 
are in doubt, you can contact your school's speech therapist with any 
questions.

Back to Top

Who makes a referral for a speech-language evaluation?

Teachers, parents, and/or any school personnel who work with the child may
make a referral to the building level Learning Improvement Team (L.I.T) for a
speech-language evaluation.

Back to Top

What is the Learning Improvement Team (LIT)?

A building level team consisting of the principal, classroom teacher, teacher
representatives, school psychologist, speech-language pathologist,
occupational therapist, and school nurse as needed.  The team convenes by
written referral by a team member to discuss strengths/weaknesses of the
child, learning strategies and/or interventions necessary for academic
success.  Referrals for a psycho-educational evaluation and/or a non-mandated
speech-language evaluation are made as needed.

Back to Top

What is the Committee of Special Education (CSE)?

A special education committee that consists of the special education
coordinator, school psychologist, special education teacher, general education
teacher, related service providers (speech, OT, PT, social work), parent
member, and parents.  This committee meets when a child has been evaluated or
re-evaluated for special education or related services.

Back to Top