Assignment #4 - Kim Beaudry - EA Roles and Responsibilities

  A Speech and Language Therapist is a highly educated professional that is qualified to evaluate, diagnose and treat a broad

range of delays and disorders. The therapist will try to identify the difficulties and help with speech, language, fluency,

voice, cognitive, and other related communication disorders. They will use different exercises or techniques to help children

learn how to make sounds and speak which include exercises with their tongues, lips and even with swallowing for children

who have major physical or motor impairments. Speech and Language Therapists will also work in areas of attention and

memory. They will use the knowledge of a child's day to day speech and language to figure out the type of therapy to use

and monitor the skills that are taught. For more information on what the job description, duties and requirements are for

Speech and Language Therapists, see http://www.prospects.ac.uk/speech_and_language_therapist_job_descriptio…

  The relationship between an Educational Assistant and a Speech and Language Therapist must be one based on

communication so everyone is clear on what is to be expected and how the work should be completed. The therapist will give

an Educational Assistant advice about vocabulary work and structured language teaching. The therapist will ask the EA to

simplify and explain the language that the teacher used to the whole class in a way the student will understand as well as

monitor the child's interaction and communication with their peers. The Speech and Language Therapist will use the

Educational Assistants knowledge of the child's speech and language thru daily activities as a way to determine the success

of therapy programs. Proper training from the Speech and Language Therapist would benefit everyone involved, especially

the child. For more information on Speech and Language Therapist's and what they can help with, go to

http://sac-oac.ca/public/what-do-speech-language-pathologists-do

  An Occupational Therapist will work with other professionals (Physical Therapists, speech and language therapists, social

workers, etc.) as part of a team. The Occupational Therapist is referred by physicians due to a problem with a child's ability

to perform normal activities of daily living. The types of issues an Occupational Therapist may treat are learning difficulties,

physical disabilities, delayed development or those recovering from illness or injury. The Occupational Therapist will ensure

an understanding of the students' skills and abilities with what is to be expected of them in a classroom. For studies on

whether an Occupational Therapist actually makes a difference in a school setting, please visit

http://www.canchild.ca/en/canchildresources/effectivenessofot.asp.

  In case of mobility impairement, an Occupational Therapist would educate both teacher and support staff on proper

measures for effectiveness. The OT's will often consult on designs for safer playground equipment as well as working towards

a barrier free classroom. To find more information on the job prospects of an Occupational Therapist, please go to,

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/3143.shtml

  Communication with Educational Assistant's is essential to maximize the effectiveness of the Occupational Therapist's

program. The OT can provide a basis for developing new and more effective teaching strategies which would include different

programs to enhance the students' abilities to learn. The responsibility of the OT would be to provide proper training and to

share their instructional techniques so that the Educational Assistant can productively implement any and all services needed

on a daily basis. This would definitly be critical for students requiring mobility services. The Occupational Therapist will

assess and reassess the student's progress to re-evaluate and re-establish goals. For more information on becoming an

Occupational Therapist, please go to, http://www.msot.mb.ca