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Language and Speech

Language and Speech (LAS)

School-based Language and Speech (LAS) is a related service that supports the educational program for students who have a communication disorder which impacts their involvement and progress in the general education curriculum in one or more of the following areas:

Articulation: The production of speech sounds significantly interferes with communication and attracts adverse attention
Language: Inappropriate or inadequate acquisition in comprehension or expression of spoken language
Fluency: Difficulties which result in the abnormal flow of verbal expression to such a degree that they adversely affect communication
Voice: A voice that is characterized by persistent, defective vocal quality, pitch or loudness

About Language and Speech Services

When are Language and Speech services required?

Special education programs and services in California are governed by both federal law, as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and state law, as defined by the California Education Code (CEC).
A student with a Speech or Language Impairment is defined as a pupil who has been "assessed as having a language or speech disorder which makes him or her eligible for special education and related services when he or she demonstrates difficulty understanding or using spoken language to such an extent that it adversely affects his or her educational performance and cannot be corrected without special education and related services" (CEC, Section 56333).
Children 3 - 22 years of age who meet criteria for special education services may be eligible for Language and Speech (LAS) services. School-based speech-language pathologists share in the decision-making process with the IEP team to determine how to best meet the educational needs of individual students.

Service Delivery

Classroom-based collaborative services and consultation with school staff, designed to maximize the student's communication skills for improved participation in curriculum activities.
Sessions are designed to build speech and language skills to support and enhance interactive communication skills through peer modeling. Service could take place either in the classroom or in a smaller setting outside of the classroom.
Services and supports may be delivered in-person or virtually (telepractice).

About Our Providers

The Los Angeles Unified School District Speech and Language Program consists of a dedicated staff of over 600 qualified speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathology assistants. Our providers are state licensed and/or credentialed. Many are also certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Continuing education is supported by the District for our providers to maintain a keen awareness of the latest research, technology and best clinical practices.

District providers have training to support the wide variety of needs of the students we serve:

Intensive Language Education After School Program (ILEAP)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Bilingual Assessment
Preschool Assessment

Tips for Improving Language and Speech

Articulation

Play activities which include sound awareness and discrimination, using songs, stories and games that emphasize letter sounds
Identify a "target sound of the week." Find objects that begin with the sound, make a sound book with pictures, and listen for the sound when reading stories

Language-Receptive, Expressive, Social/Pragmatic

Talk to your student about everything you do together
"Match plus one" - imitate the child's verbal expression and add one word to model expanded language at his/her appropriate learning level
Incorporate role-playing, story-telling and play-acting into activities
Encourage students to tell you what they want rather than anticipating their needs
Gain students' attention and have child repeat directions to check for understanding
Break instructions into smaller parts to assure comprehension
Make connections to the child’s life for understanding of new vocabulary
Use visuals to assist with story-telling and learning of daily routines
Read books to your child and ask questions on their level

Fluency

Minimize time pressures, interruptions, competition, and a barrage of questions
Model acceptance for individual differences
Accept and listen to the student's message

Voice

Consult with the school nurse about possible medical concerns
Provide opportunities for the student to speak in a normal tone of voice, minimizing situations where he or she will shout or scream

Contact Us

Related Services

333 S. Beaudry Avenue

17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Phone (213)241-6200