Describe the role of the general education teacher in working with students with communication disorders. Include their role in the identification process, ways they can facilitate speech and language development in the classroom, and ways they can create an accepting classroom community for students with communication disorders.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers should describe the role of the general education teacher in the identification of students with communication disorders (i.e., the general education teacher is an observer and listener of students and shares observations and concerns with the school's speech and language pathologist). Ways to facilitate speech and language development in the classroom may include the use of speech and language pathologist as a source of information on what skills need to be reinforced; developing personal cueing systems for students who have difficulty responding in large groups; creating an accepting environment in the classroom; using augmentative communication systems to compensate for impairments, etc. Students should describe the type of atmosphere they want to have in their classroom and address how their verbal interactions with the children will help promote language development. The responses should include specific examples of cueing systems, response times, classroom rules, or other tips that help create a classroom that makes students feel comfortable.