Hello!! My name is Mrs. Williams and I'm a speech-language specialist here at Memorial High School. I look forward to working with your child this school year. Students receive support from me in the areas of, Articulation, Voice, Fluency, Receptive/Expressive Language, Augmentative Communication, Hearing/Assistive Listening Devices, Auditory Processing as well as Social Skills, and Executive Functioning Skills.
NJ STATE Dept. of Education Requirements To Provide Speech Services:
The NJ Department of Education, requires individuals to obtain a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology, in addition to obtaining many hours of supervised clinical experience in order to receive school certification.
Roles & Responsibilities:
I work with students in a variety of ways. This includes combining communication goals with academic and social goals and integrating classroom objectives. Increasing students' understanding of texts/lessons, as well as helping students use and understand basic language concepts, are focal points when working in the classroom. Student's goals are addressed in a number of ways. Support is provided primarily in class, but also periodically in my office in individual or small group sessions. There are a number of roles and responsibilities of a "School Speech Language Specialist". They include but are not limited to:
- Identification of students at risk.
- Assessments of students communication skills.
- Evaluation of students in the area of speech and language.
- Developing and implementing IEP's.
- Ongoing collaboration with teachers and other professionals.
- Providing strategies for students to assist with receptive & expressive language skills.
- Advocacy for best teaching practices.
- Assisting students with strengthening, "executive functioning skills" as it relates to communication and the classroom.
- Programming AAC devices.
- Training staff & students with FM systems/listening devices.
- Serving as a case manager to "speech only" students.
- Assisting families, parents/guardians with coming up with strategies to provide successful carryover at home.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have at (201) 553-4110 ext. 50103 or [email protected]. I respond to emails in a timely fashion, so feel free to contact me. Below is a list of informative links.
Important District Information:
Here is some information on the 3:1 model used in our district by speech language specialists, occupational and physical therapists.
Consult Weeks 2017-2018.dotx.pdf
- Speech & Language Skills in Adolescents
- Other Helpful Websites For Speech & Language
http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html
Referral Process For Speech Therapy
*If your child has been referred for speech you will be hearing from me shortly. The process begins with me observing your child in the classroom. We will then meet to discuss if your child is in need of an evaluation. After the evaluation, we will meet again to discuss the results and if warranted, create an Individual Education Plan (IEP), designed specifically for your child. Then your child will be scheduled for therapy. Therapy occurs during the school day only.