In today’s job market, the importance of a postsecondary education for securing a job has become crucial. In order to help children with learning disabilities keep future career pathways open, they must get assistance while in school. These children must be able to develop oral and written language skills, which are imperative to graduate from college. If a student has a learning disability that prevents him from understanding text or lectures, he will not be able to successfully complete classes. This limits career options and may prevent him from being able to pursue top career choices.
In the classroom, most teachers don’t have the time or training to give students with learning disabilities individualized instruction. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to identify language-based learning disabilities and implement techniques to help students continue to learn with their peers. This is important because language problems that go untreated in the early years of school are likely to continue into high school and adulthood. If language disabilities can be addressed early on, then students will be able to carry on learned techniques throughout life. SLPs can help students understand complex sentences and vocabulary, comprehend written and oral information, and compile thoughts for speaking and writing. These skills are essential for students to feel confident in their work, perform their best in school, and be on a career pathway that they want, not one that is decided for them because of a disability.
See Nippold, Marilyn, A. “Back to School: Why the Speech Pathologist Belongs in the Classroom.” Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools Oct. 2010 vol. 41: 377-378.