Speech and Language Services
A speech and language pathologist and a deaf educator/interpreter (Level 4), provide the following opportunities:
Serve people if they are non-verbal or have difficulty communicating
Educate people in using communication devices
Assist and monitor special dietary needs of people we serve with dysphagia
Over 170 people receive speech & language or dysphagia services
Provide sign language evaluations (35 people are learning sign language)
Provide sign language training for staff and people we serve
Develop interaction and socialization skills
Meet Julie Carl, SD Achieve's Speech Pathologist
How many people do you support through your job? I assist approximately 170 people with their communication and 50 people with swallowing difficulties.
What are the main responsibilities of your job?
Monitor people who have or potentially are at risk for dysphagia.
Create, update and maintain all of the communication devices for people (social stories, devices, books, schedules, calendars, etc.)
Help staff develop activities the people we support can do to increase their communication skills.
Order supplies for dysphagia as well as adaptive equipment (silverware, pill reminders, sensory swings, etc.)
Come up with Sensory Processing strategies to help people focus, stay calm and be able to interact with others better.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Helping people communicate and interact with their environment to the best of their abilities.
Ensuring people's safety and health with the appropriate diet.
Helping to keep the benefits of sensory input in the forefront of people's minds.
