Speech Language Services
About our Speech-Language Therapists
The North Clackamas School District Speech and Language Program consists of a dedicated staff of over 20 qualified speech-language pathologists who serve students in elementary through high school settings throughout the district. Our therapists are state licensed, and many also are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
School-based speech-language therapy is provided for students who have difficulty communicating. A child with a communication disorder may receive therapy in one or more of the following domains:
- Articulation: the production of speech sounds
- Language: the comprehension or expression of spoken language
- Fluency: the flow with which sounds, syllables, words and phrases are joined together when speaking
- Social Communication: the ability to understand and interact in social contexts, both verbally and nonverbally
- Voice: vocal quality, pitch or loudness
Our district therapists have specialized knowledge and training to support a varied range of additional supports for our students, including:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Bilingual Assessment
- Pediatric Feeding
- Hearing Screening
- Preschool Assessment
Tips for Supporting Students Who Have a Communication Delay
- Plan activities which include sound awareness and discrimination
- Sing songs, read stories and play games that emphasize letter sounds
- Break directions into smaller, 1-2 part chunks
- Frequently check in for understanding
- Make words and concepts as concrete as possible by using real-life items or examples
- Use visuals and graphic organizers for directions, daily routines, and new concepts
- Provide multiple opportunities/repetitions for learning new concepts
- Talk frequently with students about topics that are of high interest to them
- "Go one level up" - imitate a student’s verbal expression and add one word to model expanded language at his/her appropriate learning level
- Incorporate role-playing, story-telling and play-acting into activities
- Encourage students to tell you what they want rather than anticipating their needs
- Minimize interruptions, competition and quiz-like questioning
- Model acceptance for individual differences
To learn about the NCSD Speech-Language Program, please contact our direct line at 503-353-6125
Graduate students interested in pursuing a practicum with North Clackamas School District should ask their university supervisor to contact Human Resources at 503-353-6000 . All practicum assignments will be provided by Human Resources.
Useful Resources for Families
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA Website
Speech-Language Developmental Milestones and Charts
ASHA Developmental Norms for Speech and Language
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks Website
Apraxia Kids
Apraxia Kids Website
The Stuttering Foundation
Stuttering Foundation Website
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Hearing Loss in Children
CDC Hearing Loss in Children Website
American Sign Language Access
ASL Access Website
International Dyslexia Association
IDA Website