We currently have 3 Department of Education Speech language pathologists (or more widely known as speech therapists) servicing Mount Ommaney Special School (MOSS) and the Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP). Emma Goldston and Vickie Saunders service MOSS, whilst Chelsea Palmer services the ECDP.
Our approach
The Department of Education provides speech-language therapy services for students with special needs in communication, enrolled in state schools or registered for Early Childhood Development Programs. The focus of these services is to enhance students’ educational programs and outcomes. Education Queensland provides speech-language therapy services for students with special needs in communication, enrolled in state schools or registered for Early Childhood Development Programs. The focus of these services is to enhance students’ educational programs and outcomes.
Speech language pathologists in schools:
Work as members of the education team (which can include the student, parents/carers, teachers, teacher aides and other specialist support personnel) to determine educational needs of students with complex communication needs in communication and/or eating and drinking difficulties.
Assist in developing individual communication systems for those students who are non-verbal.
Assist in delivering programs that enhance or support students' communication and literacy skills necessary for access and participation in the curriculum.
Assist the education team to adjust communication demands of the curriculum to ensure student participation and achievement of educational goals.
Work with the administration team to provide school-wide communication supports such as developing guidelines, policies and school-wide communication strategies.
Provide professional development activities for teachers, teacher aides and other support staff.
Consult with and provide resources to school staff, parents and the school community.
Liaise with other agencies
To assist students in achieving their educational outcomes, speech-language pathologists use specialised knowledge of:
Speech
Language
Social interaction skills
Communication strategies such as Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC)
Voice
Fluency
Eating, drinking and swallowing
Literacy development for students with complex communication needs
Speech language pathologists contribute to students’ educational programs by:
Planning with teachers to provide classroom activities to enhance communication competencies
Advising on the communication prerequisites for literacy and numeracy development and strategies to assist students to develop these
Advising parents about speech and language development and how they can assist their children to develop spoken language competence
Assessing students’ communication development and skills as well as working with school teams on how to monitor their communication skills in class
Identifying students with speech-language impairment according to departmental criteria
Providing in-class support and/or intervention programs to support students with complex communication needs
Determining the communication requirements of classroom activities, resources and assessments and advising on modifications to support specific student needs
Working collaboratively with the education team to support students’ positive behaviour
Advising on the use of technology to support communication and literacy skills
Providing support and strategies for students who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and strategies
Providing support and strategies for students with oromotor difficulties including students with eating and drinking difficulties and swallowing disabilities
For more information please contact the school.