Neita Rader

Welcome to Speech!

My name is Neita Rader.  I am a Speech-Language Pathologist who works for the Houston County School District.  I have the privilege of working with the students at Parkwood Elementary School, grades pre-kindergarten through fifth.  I received both my undergraduate (BS) and graduate (M. Ed.) degrees in Communication Disorders from Valdosta State University.  I currently hold a State of Georgia license to practice Speech Pathology, a Georgia Educator Certificate to teach in the school, and a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association.  I am originally from Wichita, Kansas, but I now live in Byron, Georgia.  I have two grown sons and two beautiful grandchildren.  In my free time I like to travel, read, and watch NASCAR. 

 

 

 

CLASSROOM RULES

1. Do your best practice
2. Follow directions
3. Keep chair on the floor
4. Take turns talking
5. Keep hands and feet 
to yourself

 

 

 

 

 

What is a Speech/Language Pathologist?

A speech/language pathologist (SLP) is a certified professional who works with children and adults who have communication problems.  These may include:

  • Language errors:  limited vocabulary, grammar, and/or communication styles
  •  Articulation (speech sounds) errors:  saying one sound for another, omitting a sound, or distorting sounds
  • Voice errors:  speech that is too high, too low, too loud, too soft, hoarse, breathy, or nasal
  • Fluency or stuttering:  interruptions in the flow or rhythm of speech which may include hesitations, repetitions, or prolonged sounds, words or phrases

Roles of a Speech-Language Pathologist

Responsibilities of the Speech-Language Specialist include assessment, evaluation, eligibility determination, caseload management, and intervention.  "Ultimately, the school-based Speech-Language Specialist's purpose in addressing communication and related disorders is to effect functional and measurable change(s) in a student's communication status so that the student may participate as fully as possible in all aspects of life-educational, social, and vocational."  (American Speech and Hearing Association, 1999, page 6). 

 In the public school setting, a specialist who works with students with communication disorders may be referred to as the speech therapist, speech/language therapist, speech teacher, speech pathologist, speech/language pathologist, or teacher of the speech and hearing handicapped.  Their duties include......

 

  • Acting as a resource person to parents, administrators and teachers
  • Evaluating children to assess communication skill development
  • Diagnosing speech/language problems that may interfere with a child’s academic success
  • Writing diagnostic reports which (1) highlight student strengths and weaknesses in speech/language, (2) explain how deficits may affect learning, (3) give recommendations for intervention, and (4) suggest strategies to facilitate success in the classroom
  • Meeting with parents and teachers to review and interpret test results, determine eligibility for speech/language services, and develop IEP's (Individualized Educational Programs)
  • Working cooperatively with other professional staff members who are involved in the educational programming of students with speech/language impairments.
  • Making appropriate referrals to other professionals (e.g. child advocate team, school nurse, ENT doctor, family physician, and audiologist.)      
  • Designing and providing speech/language therapy to students one-on-one or in small groups, serving a caseload of up to 55 students in one or more schools or during home visits with homebound students
  • Providing staff training in areas related to speech and language

 

Eligibility

Interpreting Scores

Normal Development