Children will be considered for selection who are 2 1/2 years to 5 years of age, who have speech and language impairments with average cognitive skills, functional hearing and vision abilities and whose behavior is ready for group instruction. Enrollment is limited due to small class size and low therapist-child ratio. Formal assessment must be completed at the Baylor University Clinic before being considered for the program.
Each client is assigned a clinician for the semester to facilitate their classroom experiences while following the semester treatment plan. Each graduate clinician also has experience preparing lessons for the entire class of clients and preparing and leading those lessons on a rotation plan.
Provision for this program was initiated and continues to be provided by Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Reynolds through an endowment for the Joy C. Reynolds Language Center. This unique program has continued to offer support and training for graduate students and treatment for children and their families for many years. The fee for the daily program is $50.00 per week.
Questions about the Preschool Language Class
may be directed to:
Mrs. Janice Stewart MS CCC-SLP Director
254-710-2567
or 254-710-6373
Curriculum
The LAP program functions on a semester basis based on the Baylor University academic calendar. Treatment is provided for 10 hours weekly, Mondays through Thursdays from 8:15 – 10:45.
The program of treatment is a hybrid approach developed to address the communication needs of this preschool population. Articulation stimulation and treatment is provided for the classroom using Hodson's Cycles Approach. Target words are chosen form the storybook to target the highlighted process for the week. Auditory bombardment is provided in selected activities to encourage elimination of the phonological process. Individual treatment for articulation is planned based on the needs of the client and may include the Kaufman approach, multi-phoneme approach, a phonological approach or the traditional articulation approach.
Treatment for language delays uses an eclectic approach using the Activity Based Language Intervention Approach as well as Direct Language Treatment Approaches. Scripted play, joint actions routines and repeated storybook reading are used by the clinicians during daily classroom routines, play routines using typical preschool toys and materials, storybook reading, snack and group games and activities to increase communication opportunities for these children.
Procedures for the clinician include strong visual strategies and supports as well as principles of the TEACCH method. Clinicians learn to use techniques such as event casts, focused contrasts, modeling, scaffolding, expansions, and recasts. The classroom is equipped with an FM system to be used by the lead clinician for group instruction to enhance the auditory signal assisting in developing focused attention.
Daily Classroom Schedule
Based on the needs of the clients
8:15 – 8:35 Greeting /Songs
8:35 – 8:50 Motor / Music
8:50 – 9:15 Individual Time
9:15 – 9:35 Centers
9:35 – 9:55 Group Story / Listening to Sounds and Target Words
9:55 – 10:00 Clean – up / Bathroom
10:00 – 10:15 Snack and Clean-up
10:15 – 10:35 Group Activity
10:35 – 10:45 Recall / Good-bye
Family activities and field trips provide opportunities for parents to interact with the clinicians and families enrolled in the program. We have taken trips to PetSmart, Cameron Park Zoo, the Mayborn Children's Museum and the Baylor Bear Cave.
