Speech Link is an online package designed to identify and support children with developmental speech sound difficulties. It has been available since 2003 and remains widely used to help support children with speech sound errors. This program is suitable for children aged 4 to 8 years old and aims to simplify speech-related work while enabling staff to effectively address common speech sound errors in children.
Key features of Speech Link include:
- Identification: The program offers a quick and enjoyable online screening assessment to evaluate whether a child's speech is developmentally appropriate for their age. If a delay is detected, Speech Link provides recommendations for intervention, including when it's advisable to consult a speech and language therapist.
- Intervention: Speech Link offers 23 planned and resourced speech interventions that cover common developmental speech errors. Clear instructions are provided to help children produce and recognize sounds in words and sentences. Over 600 downloadable resources are available, reducing the time spent searching for appropriate materials. Additionally, Speech Link encourages home practice by providing resources for parents, including activities and information sheets.
- Listening Games: The program includes interactive online listening games that help students differentiate between different speech sounds. These games are designed to enhance listening skills, auditory analysis, and sound discrimination. They progress through different levels, from single sounds to identifying sounds at the beginning and end of words, and offer certificates as incentives.
- In-Package Training: Speech Link offers video walk-throughs to guide users through the package step by step. Regular webinar training sessions are also available, allowing staff to ask questions and receive guidance from experts. Online training modules cover the basics of speech production and how to work through a speech program.
- Measuring Progress: Speech Link provides tools for tracking progress, including intelligibility ratings completed by the teacher, parent, and child. Targets for improvement are set and revisited after completing a speech sound program. Dynamic reports offer insights into assessment results and in-school improvement for each child, making it easier to evaluate the impact of intervention.
Speech Link serves as a valuable resource for professionals working with young children to address speech sound difficulties. It combines assessment, intervention, training, and progress monitoring to support effective speech and language development in children, ultimately contributing to improved communication skills and academic success.
