INFORMATION ABOUT THE SENIOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE CLASS

The aim of the language unit is to address the pupils’ speech and language disorder through appropriate education and intensive speech and language therapy within the context of a broad and balanced primary school curriculum.

A language unit is a special class for pupils with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) that is attached to a mainstream primary school. A full-time teacher is assigned to each class and the class operates with a ratio of 7:1. A speech and language therapist employed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides therapy for the children in the class.  Special needs assistants (SNAs) are not assigned automatically to a class.

The enrolment of pupils in a language unit is managed locally by an admissions committee that is generally composed of the following personnel: the school principal, the class teacher, the speech and language therapist attached to the class, a psychologist attached to the HSE or NEPS, and the manager of the local speech and language therapy services. All admissions committees operate in an advisory capacity only to their boards of management, the ultimate responsibility for the enrolment of children rests with the boards of management of schools.

When enrolling, children should meet each of the following criteria:

  1. Assessment by a psychologist on a standardised test of intelligence which places non-verbal or performance ability within the average range or above
  2. Assessment on a standardised test of language development by a speech therapist which places performance in one or more of the main areas of speech and language development at two standard deviations or more below the mean, or at a generally equivalent level
  3. The child’s difficulties are not attributable to hearing impairment; where the child is affected to some degree by hearing impairment the hearing threshold for the speech-related frequencies should be 40 db
  4. Emotional and behavioural disorders or a physical disability are not considered to be primary causes
  5. Children with speech and language delays and difficulties are not to be considered under this category

In line with school policy, each child will integrate with mainstream classes where possible. This may be partially for non-academic subjects such as PE, Art. Other children may integrate for academic subjects. Integration is dependent on close cooperation and collaboration of whole school staff and is kept under constant review.

The role of parents is central in the education of our children. On-going two-way communication is routine: phone conversations, written communication and email.

Formal Parent-Teacher meetings occur annually.

Tests are used to assess literacy and numeracy, to establish an appropriate programme of work for the children during their time in the Language Class.

Speech and Language Therapists and Psychologists carry out assessments as required.

The children use computers to aid learning. The classroom has an Interactive Whiteboard installed.

For more information on the Speech and Language class, please click here Specific Speech and Language Disorder Class Information for Parents

PHOTOS AND POSTS FROM THE SENIOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE CLASS

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