as i interviewed our family support specialist, she informed me that one of her goals is to provide classes to the non English peaking parents at El Hogar Del Nino, during the evening.there  are many parents who will like to learn a second language, but they can not afford to pay or they get out of work very late. The family support specialist had founda bilingual teacher during the evening hours. She is happy to informed  me that there are currently at least twenty parents who are attending evening classes to learn a second language. The agency is currently paying the bilingual teacher. The family support specialist also provides support and assist those parents who might qualify to receive food stamps and the medical card, she also provide a weekly bus fare to get the parents to work or do what ever they need to do with out worrying about bus fare. The family support specialist, also provides community resources such as; job search assistance, financial counseling, citizenship classes for those parents who might qualify. She also provide emergency shelter, when a parent has lost his/her apartment or when there is a domestic violence in the house. The family support specialist, also provide family group counseling at El Hogar Del Nino. Her main goal is, "To improve the lives of the children who are currently enroll in our center."

Interview with a Speech Pathologist

          Application 3

          As I walked in the toddlers classroom the other morning,

] I noticed that the pathologist was there. I asked teacher Norma, What does the speech pathologist do to assist the very young toddlers who are not able to communicate their needs and wants? Teacher Norma informed me that the speech pathologist has taught her and the other teachers to use some sign language. I asked her, “Does this technique, really help?” Teacher Norma, said, Yes, sign language has helped me understand the toddlers’ needs and has helped the toddlers with communicating their needs and wants. Some of these toddlers are very young and they do not know how to tell their needs and wants. With sign language, many toddlers are able to tell us is they need, “More milk, water, and are even able to tell us when they are feeling sad.”

          I presented myself to the speech pathologist, and I informed her that I was a Kendall student. I asked her if I could observe her, while she was interacting with the toddlers. The pathologist said, “Sure, I don’t have a problem with it at all. As teacher Norma said, “It is time to wash your hands, she got to the toddlers level and she used sign language to get the toddlers attention. The pathologist used sign language to guide the toddlers into washing their hands. Teacher Norma was saying, “Okay, now go to sit down on your chair”, she continued to use sign language to instruct the children. The pathologist was waiting for the toddlers to assist them in sitting down, while she was using sign language and her words. The toddlers began to eat. I noticed that one child began to hit his cup. Teacher Norma was serving breakfast while the pathologist was assisting the toddlers on the table. The pathologist said while gently putting her hand on top of the child’s hand and she said, “Maria, do you want more milk?” Maria looked at the speech pathologist and she looked at her hands. Maria then used her hands to sign for, “more milk, please.” When Maria was done eating she used sign language to tell the speech pathologist that she was done and that she did not want any more food.

          As the toddlers were sitting down for group time, teacher Norma took out some pictures of different songs, and she also had pictures of the toddlers. The teacher as well as the speech pathologist sings songs as; Barney, twinkle, twinkle little star, and Elmo. While the group was singing, the speech pathologists, as well as the teachers, were using sign language. I noticed that the toddlers were also using sign language while they were singing songs.

          At the end of my observation, I asked the speech pathologist, if I could ask her some questions regarding her interaction, she said she would be more than happy to.

          Q: What is your role in the toddler’s classroom, when you are interacting with the toddlers as well as with the teachers?

A: I work directly with a child who might not have the speech or the language to communicate with other peers. Some of the toddlers are able to articulate the information that is given to them, but they are not able to produce speech. That is why I teach them sign language. For the teachers, I teach them sign language.  I realized that some teachers are not able to understand the needs and wants of many of these toddlers. That is why I have taught them to use sign language. I also informed the teachers that they should still use their voice, while they talk with the children.

Q: How do you know when a child has a speech delay?

A: I used the Standardize testing device, parent report, ASQ, anecdotal information from the teachers.

Q:What types of screenings do you go by?

A:Rossettti, infant toddlers language scale (RITLS) Preschool language scale (English/Spanish) (PLS: 4)

Q:What is speech delay and why are so many young toddlers having such of a hard time with speech?

A: Speech delay is when a child has difficulty understanding and speaking the language. It might also be that the child has weak muscle around the mouth area or they might have trouble hearing sounds due to many ear infections. It could also be, “The home language.” At home, the mother might use, “Baby talk.” This could be language such as, “look at my little baby, do you want a ookie (Cookie), babba (Bottle), uppie (Up).” This is the home language that a child hears at home.”

Q:What is, “Developmental articulation delay and does articulation has anything to do with language?

A: A child is slower to produce the specific sounds in the Childs language, both are connected. Speech has to do with how we use the sound to create words.

Q: When a child is not making any process in his/her speech, what do you do?

A:I consult with other medical field consultants. I have other associates in the pathologist field. I consult with other therapists such as; occupational therapist, developmental consultants.

Q:What type of speech pathologist license do you currently have?

A: M.A. Speech language pathology, language exam, a year of supervised practice, then you get your, “Certification of clinical competence (CCC), and the, “Speech language pathology (SLP).

 *Our speech pathologist also has five years of experience as a school teacher and five years as a preschool teacher.