Speech-language therapy within the Poth Independent School District is available to students’ ages 3 through 21 years of age who meet the eligibility criteria established by the district and under the guidelines of the Texas Education Agency.  The speech and language program encompasses many areas.  Students receiving services have a communication difficulty that impedes him/her academically, socially, or communicatively.  Therapy services, including language, articulation, stuttering, voice, and assistive technology, are provided during school hours. 

Below are some common characteristics of children that might qualify for services.  Students may show one or more of these characteristics and still be within the expected range of development.

•       Articulation errors
•       Difficulty following oral or written directions
•       Lack of fluency in oral communication
•       Hoarseness
•       A volume that is too high or too low
•       Difficulty retrieving words
•       Uses many nonspecific words to substitute for specific words (i.e. thing)
•       Doesn’t understand humor or sarcasm
•       Doesn’t understand idioms
•       Can understand what is said but has difficulty organizing words into correct language structures
•       Difficulty remembering what has been said
•       Difficulty relating events or stores orally or in writing
•       Talks constantly but expresses few ideas
•       Seldom talks – doesn’t participate orally
•       Vocabulary appears limited
•       Appears to have difficulty processing what she/he hears unless material is given slowly or repeated     many times
•       Misunderstands what is said to him/her
•       Difficulty with inferences
•       Difficulty understanding why he/she is in trouble or what was wrong
•       Says “huh” or “what” frequently
•       Speaks inappropriately to his friends or teachers
•       Asks for frequent repetition or clarification
•       Difficulty rhyming, identifying sounds, or reading

For children, ages 3 to 5, who are not eligible for public school classes, an assessment may be requested by calling the Student Instructional Support Services Office and setting up an appointment.  Children may be eligible to begin receiving services on their third birthday.

Students already enrolled in public school classes are usually referred by their teacher due to concerns in one or more of the areas previously mentioned.  A parent may also ask for an evaluation through the teacher or by contacting the principal of their child’s school directly. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s speech and language development, please contact the Student Instructional Support Services Office at 830-484-3390.  We will be happy to answer your questions or begin the referral process.