Reading and Writing

Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Reading and Writing in Children and Adolescents

"Appropriate roles and responsibilities for SLPs
are dynamic in relation to the evolving knowledge
base and have implications for research, academic,
and clinical education. These roles include, but are
not limited to:
1. preventing written language problems by fostering language acquisition and emergent literacy
2. identifying children at risk for reading and writing problems
3. assessing reading and writing
4. providing intervention and documenting outcomes for reading and writing
5. assuming other roles, such as providing assistance to general education teachers, parents, and students; advocating for effective literacy practices; and advancing the knowledge base."


Source: ASHA Guidelines 2000/III - 355

In reading this article, and completing the corresponding CEU requirements, I find myself somewhat overwhelmed by the roles and responsibilities mentioned above. SLP's are not always adequately trained to compentently assess reading and writing skills, and yet assessment of these skills is included in our Roles and Responsibilities. I often find that in language-based therapy sessions, students' reading and writing skills are addressed simultaneously. As a school-based SLP, it will be my personal goal to seek further CEU's with regards to the assessment and treatment of reading and writing problems.