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Racing For Better Speech and Language!

Speech and Language is Off and Running

by Kim Knight on September 28, 2010

Parents & Guardians, 

We have started, what I hope to be, a very successful speech year.  The schedule has been crazy—I try to avoid specials, recess, Title times and any core instruction time, which leaves very little other time to fit their speech time into.  I know there will be a few kinks to get worked out, but hopefully, the majority of the schedule will work well. 

I have again been reading about and studying several new strategies that I have started to implement this year.  So far, I have been very excited with most students’ progress.  I have also challenged a few of my students to correct a particular sound that has been hanging on for some time by the end of this year in exchange for a “Grand Prize”.  Hopefully this will motivate them to be more aware of their sound production habits in all settings and not just the speech room. 

Since it’s the beginning of the year, thought that it might be beneficial to better let you know more about what I do and the areas that I can address in therapy.  I found a great article that explains all of that very well and wanted to share it with you.  It is entitled “What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?” and can be found at http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/162_SLPs.pdf.   In the article, it mentions that you should look for a Speech-Language Pathologist who is certified by ASHA (The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and licensed by their state.  I want to assure you that I have both certification from ASHA and am licensed by the State of Missouri.  I must attend at least 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain my license and 30 hours every 3 years to maintain my certification.  This requirement helps to ensure that the professionals you or your students will be working with stay up-to-date with the most recent information and research possible. 

In regard to the above article, it comes from a website that I had mentioned last year.   It is a great website with a lot of helpful information, so please check out this article as well as many others that are written to help parents better understand a number of topics and answer questions that they might have.  The website is http://www.superduperinc.com.  Once you are there, go to the left side of the screen and click on “FREE Handouts”.  It then gives a box with a scroll down menu with many different topics.  Just highlight the one you want and hit “Search”.  It will then display the many handouts.  To view the one you want just click on “English” or “Spanish” (depending on which language you would like to view it in).  It really is a wealth of information—as is your child’s teacher or anyone at the school, including myself.  I can address concerns in speech articulation, fluency, and voice and concerns in language (e.g. following directions, vocabulary, grammar and sentence building, and many other things). 

If you have questions, never hesitate to call. 

Thanks again for loaning me your students!

Kimberly S. Knight, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist 

(660) 947-3361 ext. 391