Speech Therapy Tips for Maximizing Home-School Communication

Some important things to consider:  Obtain a working knowledge of :

Home-School Communication Tip #1. The model of services being provided (are they pull-out, push-in, consult, 1:1, small group…?) The models are determined by a few things… severity of speech difficulties, behavior, academic concerns, etc.

Home-School Communication Tip #2. Duration and frequency of treatment.  Most therapists recommended 1-2 sessions a week for 30 minutes in the school system.

Home-School Communication Tip #3. Therapy Goals. Make sure that you are part of the conversation! At the ARD/IEP, this is when you make your goals to work for the entire YEAR, so make sure to provide your input and concerns at this time.

Progress Reports are given every 9 weeks for most schools, but as the parent you have the right to converse about progress and goals at any point in time. Keep an open line of communication with the therapist that is working with your child. Parents that ask for homework will be provided with homework for carry over in the home.

Email- this is the easiest way to get in contact with the therapists. Therapy is done in so many places that the therapist may not always be in their room for a phone call. Or, if there are students in the room, the therapist may not be able to answer a phone call.

Request a communication folder- this is an easy form of communication between your child’s therapists and home. Things to include in the folder: a sheet to document which services the child received that day (Pt, Ot, Speech, etc.), a spot to mark behavior for the day, and a comment section for the therapist to mark all the good things that happened in therapy that day. You could also request homework tips and worksheets be sent home in the folder.

If you are comfortable having the school therapists and clinical therapists communicate about your child, this will ensure that everyone is on the same page across the board and contribute to success!