Stacy Faller Discusses Speech and Language Services Available Through Grand Lake Regional ESC

Communication skills affect nearly every part of a student’s education, from understanding classroom directions to expressing needs and interacting with others.

Stacy Faller, speech-language pathology supervisor and special education coordinator with the Grand Lake Regional Educational Service Center, discussed the agency’s speech and language services during an appearance on WCSM’s Spectrum.

Faller explained that speech-language pathologists do much more than help students correctly pronounce individual sounds. They also work with receptive language, which includes understanding words, concepts and directions, and expressive language, which allows students to communicate their thoughts, knowledge, wants and needs.

The ESC also helps children develop social communication skills, including starting conversations, taking turns and understanding what may be appropriate to say in different situations.

Faller emphasized the value of identifying developmental concerns early. The ESC offers monthly Child Find screenings at its Celina office for preschool-age children. Professionals can evaluate communication, pre-academic and motor skills, along with other areas of development.

School-based therapy follows different eligibility requirements than private or medical therapy. Faller said a student must meet a recognized disability category, demonstrate an educational need and require specially designed instruction to qualify for services through a school.

Students who do not qualify for an individualized education program may still be able to receive other intervention services.

Faller also discussed augmentative and alternative communication tools for students who are nonverbal or have limited speech. Those tools can range from simple picture cards to applications on tablets that speak words or sentences selected by the student.

She said research indicates those devices do not prevent children from developing speech. Instead, they may encourage speech by providing students with a model for words and sounds.

The Grand Lake Regional ESC is also seeking an educational interpreter to assist students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Faller said interpreters help students connect signs and other visual information with what is being taught in the classroom. Information about the opening and other services is available through the Grand Lake Regional ESC.

The agency is located at 540 East Market Street in Celina and may be reached at 419-586-6628