Communication disorders impact learners primarily in preschool and the primary grades. Why do you think this is so, and how is this relevant to you as a teacher?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Communication skills are primarily developmental skills with the most significant learning in the preschool years. As is true of many such skills, children will vary in their pace of development. Experience has shown that many communication delays resolve themselves without special attention; however, monitoring language development, including speech, in young children can help teachers, parents and therapists intervene effectively to assure that development does not become stalled. In many schools, therapists work collaboratively with K-3 grade teachers to develop and implement effective language development programs in the classroom, benefitting all children. By involving speech-language professionals during early development, it is also possible to spot those children with more intensive communication development needs or other disabilities (e.g., intellectual or learning disabilities) and who will benefit from individual and small group language interventions.