Teachers Perspective: Best Practices in Speech Therapy for Special Education

Speech therapy plays a vital role in supporting students with disabilities in special education. Many students with disabilities, such as those with autism, language disorders, or speech delays, may need extra help to develop their communication skills. Speech therapy helps these students improve their ability to express themselves, understand others, and participate in school activities. To be most effective, speech therapy should follow certain best practices that ensure students get the right support and can make the most progress.
Early Intervention is Key – One of the most important best practices in speech therapy is early intervention. The sooner a student begins receiving speech therapy, the better their chances of making significant progress. Early intervention helps address speech or language issues before they become bigger obstacles to learning. It’s essential that students who show signs of speech or language delays be identified early and referred for evaluation and therapy as soon as possible. Research shows that when speech therapy starts early, it can help students develop communication skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Individualized Treatment Plans – Every student is unique, so speech therapy should always be tailored to the individual. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the key document that outlines a student’s specific needs and goals. The IEP team, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs), teachers, and parents, should work together to develop a plan that reflects the student’s strengths and challenges. The goals of speech therapy should be clear, measurable, and achievable, and they should focus on the areas where the student needs the most support. Whether it’s improving articulation, language comprehension, or social communication, therapy should be customized to help the student meet their specific communication needs.
Incorporating the Classroom Environment – Effective speech therapy doesn’t only happen in therapy sessions—it should be integrated into the student’s everyday environment. Speech therapists should collaborate with teachers to ensure that students are receiving support in the classroom as well. For example, if a student is working on understanding instructions or following directions, the teacher can reinforce these skills during lessons. Additionally, speech therapy can be carried out in the classroom setting through push-in services, where the therapist works with the student in the general education environment. This helps students generalize what they’ve learned in therapy to real-life situations, making it easier for them to use their communication skills across different settings.
Use of Assistive Technology – Assistive technology can be a game-changer in speech therapy. There are many tools available that can help students with speech or language challenges communicate more effectively. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, for example, help students who struggle with verbal communication by allowing them to use symbols, pictures, or text to communicate their needs. These devices can be an essential part of a student’s speech therapy plan, especially for nonverbal students or those with severe speech impairments.
Focus on Social Communication – While speech therapy often focuses on articulation and language comprehension, it’s also important to work on social communication skills. Many students with disabilities face difficulties in social situations, such as understanding body language, interpreting tone of voice, or taking turns in conversation. Speech therapists should include social skills training in their therapy sessions, helping students practice how to interact with peers, make friends, and engage in group conversations. Social communication skills are essential for building relationships and succeeding in school.
Family Involvement – Speech therapy is most effective when families are involved in the process. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in supporting their child’s communication development outside of therapy sessions. Speech therapists should provide families with strategies and activities they can use at home to reinforce what the student is learning in therapy. Regular communication between therapists and families helps ensure that the student’s progress is consistent and that goals are being met both in and outside of school.
Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment – Speech therapy is an ongoing process, and it’s important to regularly monitor a student’s progress and adjust their treatment plan as needed. The IEP should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that the therapy is meeting the student’s evolving needs. If a student is making significant progress, the goals might need to be adjusted to challenge them further. On the other hand, if progress is slower than expected, the therapy plan may need to be modified to address new or different challenges.
Speech therapy in special education is crucial for helping students overcome communication barriers and succeed in school. By focusing on early intervention, individualized plans, classroom integration, assistive technology, social communication, family involvement, and continuous monitoring, speech therapists can provide the best support for students with speech and language difficulties. These best practices ensure that each student receives the tailored care they need to thrive in their educational journey.