My name is Vicki Segers and I have been working at CHCS since 2005. Good communication is important for speaking, thinking, writing, reading, and learning. In short, communication matters! I count it a privilege to serve Chapel Hill Christian School-Green as its Speech-Language Pathologist/Communication Improvement Specialist. I received my Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Akron in 1985, and hold Ohio licensure and national certification in my field. Over the course of my career, I have helped both adults and children improve their communication skills. On a personal note, my husband Robert and I are blessed to be raising three teenage daughters, and to actively participate as youth workers at our church in Canal Fulton.

In September 2005, the Lord opened the door for me to work each Tuesday with students on the Green campus. In that role, I assist students who have been referred by parents and/or teachers for evaluation and instruction in receptive (listening) and/or expressive (speaking) communication skills. For example, a student may have trouble producing certain speech sounds correctly, or may have difficulty using spoken language in the classroom. A student's voice may sound harsh or hoarse. They may have trouble with the fluency (rhythm) of their speech. It is very important to work with students who have communication problems so that these problems do not affect their success in classroom activities, social interaction, literacy, and learning.

Each September, I provide a basic speech, language, and hearing screening to any student new to our school, as well as to all students in Pre-K, K, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Parents and teachers are informed if a communication problem is noted at screening. If further testing is needed, parental permission is obtained.

In addition, the classroom teacher may refer a specific student for evaluation. Again, parents are always informed and permission obtained before a full speech or language evaluation takes place. Should you have a question about your child's communication skills, please speak first with your child's classroom teacher about your concern.

Once it has been determined by the parent/school team that a student needs speech-language services, those services may take place in the classroom. They may also take place individually or in a small group in the Speech Mod. Attention is always given to providing as little disruption as possible to the student's daily schedule.

As a resource to the teachers, I provide whole-classroom lessons in careful listening to the students in Pre-K through 1st grade. For the older students, classroom lessons may include such topics as speaking clearly and with uplifting words, as well as healthy hearing habits in the age of I-pods.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers these guidelines:

• Your child may have an underlying problem in communication if he or she began talking later than expected.
• Your child is performing below expectations in the classroom.
• Your child is having difficulty learning to read.
• Your child cannot seem to express his/her thoughts and ideas.
• Your child has problems understanding others and following directions.
• Your child doesn't pick up on social cues.
• Your child has problems taking tests.

• The American Speech-Language- Hearing Association

• Parental Handbook