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6 reasons why immersive speech-language classrooms work

A little girl and her teacher working with manipulatives.

There’s a classroom in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Penn., where the kids play and sing with the friends they have made. Laughter echoes off the walls adorned with artwork. They read stories aloud, have table time, engage in the latest STEAM activities, and follow the general curriculum.

It all sounds so familiar, doesn’t it? Well, this classroom is unlike any other. It’s a place where students enter the program unable to communicate and leave as little chatterboxes.

While immersive learning spaces are becoming a must-have for school districts, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s (AIU) Speech-Language program has been doing it for two decades. The Primary Expressions classroom is an intensive K-1 program in a very small class-size setting. The all-day endeavor is guided by a speech-language pathologist and follows the standard curriculum across all subjects with the added dimension of persistent speech treatment therapy. After they complete the program, students ideally transition back to their class in second grade to be with their peers. It’s a turnkey solution to unlocking the speech challenges of young students.

We believe an immersive speech-language environment is the best way to treat students with moderate-to-severe speech issues. Here are our top six reasons why:

1. All-day communication support.
The biggest difference between an immersive environment and traditional pull-out sessions is the time spent treating the students. Having a nationally certified, highly-qualified speech language pathologist leading the intimate class ensures that no matter what course is being taught, speech-language is always a priority. There’s no rush, either. A half-hour session twice a week is not a lot of time and things can fall by the wayside. An immersive environment enhances students’ opportunities to blossom by learning and practicing techniques at an accelerated rate under the guidance of a professional.

“We often see students whose communication has limited their interaction join a community where that difference is understood,” says Eileen Cirelli, AIU speech-language supervisor. “Within weeks, those who stood shyly in the corner are front-and-center at morning group, talking up a storm.”

2. Students are not isolated from their classmates.
Social interaction among young students is still imperative. In fact, peer interaction in real-world settings can be the best way to work on those communication skills. You can create a balanced educational and social environment by integrating students into art, library, gym, lunch, recess, and school-wide events. This also allows them to lay the foundation for lasting friendships once they integrate back into their class.

3. A peer-to-peer network of teachers.
Communication is important among the educators as well. When integrating students into other classes, make sure their teachers are aware of the specifics of their learning plan and how they can help. Keep fellow educators on the same page so that students can get extra attention when needed and also hear back to see how things are going.

4. A holistic approach.
It’s important to know and understand the child as a whole, says David Hammer, vice president of programs for Apraxia Kids, a national organization that supports students and families. “I’ve heard from parents and therapists across the country that there are few immersive programs like this for children with apraxia of speech. We’ve seen children with apraxia of speech make amazing gains without such a classroom experience, but the repetitive practice opportunities this enables would be ideal for children who struggle with motor speech planning.”

Every child is unique, so what works for one person may not work for another. Learn about what motivates your students, their family background, and more to build layers of trust and understanding. That’s difficult to do in 30-minute increments twice a week. Knowing who the child is, where they come from, and where they are going is also an understanding of what motivates and engages the student.

5. Stay connected.
By keeping in touch with students and families, you can build a database of knowledge that expands over time. Checking in with former students to see their progress can provide valuable information for current students. Hold annual gatherings for current and former students so that parents and their children can network and create lasting bonds. This also shows parents, family members, or guardians how much you care about the students, which can lead to positive buzz.

“The success of our program is mostly at a grassroots level with parents referring other parents,” says Cirelli. “This is truly a community program with stakeholders actively participating.”

6. Reduce the need for future therapy.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 3.6 million students enrolled in public kindergarten this fall and nearly 400,000 of those can benefit from speech-language therapy. Without the proper foundation, speech-language challenges will almost certainly snowball with age. Addressing the issue now in the most effective manner will reduce or eliminate the need for future therapy. This will not only benefit the students, but also save parents and school districts money and resources. It’s a win-win for everybody.