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What is Speech/Language Support?

At the early school-age level, speech/language development continues as students build academic skills. Early identification of speech and language delays is critical to prevent potential difficulties with reading and writing, speaking and listening, and social/emotional/behavioral skills. The role of the Speech Language Pathologist is to support the student in continued speech and language development by providing interventions that support them in the general education environment.


Speech Support in a MTSS Framework

Speech/language support in an MTSS framework involves providing different levels of support based on student needs. It emphasizes collaboration between general education providers and the Speech Language Pathologist to ensure a coordinated approach to supporting the student. MTSS aims to identify and address speech/ language difficulties early on, potentially preventing more significant challenges later on.


Tier 1

All students, including those with IEPs, have access to Tier 1 supports in an MTSS framework, including the area of Speech/Language. There are many ways in which our Tier 1 supports can foster student success in the areas of articulation, language, and pragmatics/social skills. Providing parents with information relevant to their concerns is always an appropriate starting point for Speech/Language concerns.


Making Referrals for Support Beyond Tier 1

Many times concerns, particularly pertaining to the area of articulation, arise that may require the direct support of the Speech Language Pathologist. If the student's concerns fall outside the range of what is typical for their age level, the student should be referred to Student Support via an Incident in Educlimber. In order to know when a referral for articulation concerns is appropriate, please use the following guide:



Pathways for Speech Concerns

Complete the Requests for SPED Assessment Survey when:

  1. The parent makes a specific request for a special education assessment
  2. The HST sees that the student’s speech errors fall more than 1.5 years outside of the student’s age range

Complete a Student Support Incident for speech articulation concerns when:

  1. The parent is inquiring generally about ways to support the student and the concerns are less than a year outside the student’s age range
  2. The HST observes speech errors that are less than 1.5 years outside the student’s age range

Offer Tier 1 Supports to 100% of students with speech concerns, even if their IEP address it! (see the Tier 1 Speech section of the HTH)


Unsure what to do? Please reach out to our Speech Team or visit their Office Hours for guidance.

Speech/Language Team


When Referrals are Received

Once Student Support receives a referral for Speech support, either the SLP or SLPA will schedule a time to talk to the parent and work with the student in order to better understand the concerns. Working with the student will include a Speech Articulation screener in order to better determine the nature and degree of need so that informed recommendations can be made. The SLP or SLPA may also reach out to the HST for additional information regarding how these concerns impact the student's educational functioning.


Making Recommendations

Once the screener has been conducted, in most cases, an SST meeting will be schedule to discuss results and recommendations.


Key Words: MTSS, Speech, Language, Speech Support, articulation, pragmatics, social skills, intelligibility