REFERRAL PROCESS

A student may be referred for a speech/language evaluation by parents, teachers, or other TEAM members. The first step in the process might be either a speech/language screening, or a referral to the Early Intervention Team (EIT) or Response to Intervention Team (RTI).  

If your child is not enrolled in the Shrewsbury Public Schools (e.g. a child between the ages of three and five, or a child who is currently attending a private school), you must first contact the school department to register your child (508 841-8400). Based on your address, you will be directed to the school where your child will be seen.  

A screening may consist of a classroom observation, a sound inventory, administration of a formal screening tool, or a speech/language sample. A screening is used to determine if a full speech/language evaluation is warranted. Screening results may also be used to guide classroom recommendations or home programs. Examples of this might be sound practice worksheets used at home, or picture-based procedure boards to assist a child in following classroom directions.  

EIT or RTI is used to provide teachers and educational staff with strategies to support student learning. The TEAM members decide upon a goal area and generate an intervention plan that can be implemented in the classroom setting. A time frame is determined, and data is collected on student performance in their goal area over the prescribed amount of time (e.g. 6 weeks). If sufficient progress is not noted, an evaluation may be recommended.  

When it is deemed necessary, parent consent is obtained and a full speech/language evaluation is conducted. SLPs use standardized and non-standardized assessments to determine eligibility. Test instruments are selected to assess the area(s) of concern. To be eligible for services, the team must find that:

• The child has a disability (i.e. is performing at least 1.5 standard deviations below average);
• The child is not making effective progress in regular education due to the disability; and
• The child requires either specially designed instruction or a related service which is necessary to allow the child to access the general education curriculum.

Once eligibility is established, the SLP works with other members of the TEAM (including parents) to determine what is needed for a student to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). An individualized education plan (IEP) is written to outline goal areas and objectives.