How Speech Affects Literacy: A Discussion with Expert Sydney Bessard

Literacy and speech development are deeply intertwined and understanding this connection can significantly impact your child’s learning journey. How can we nurture these skills effectively, especially in a homeschooling environment? Let’s delve into the insights shared by Sydney Bessard, a speech therapist I recently talked to. Sydney passionately explored the symbiotic relationship between literacy and speech, offering valuable guidance on how parents can effectively support their children’s development in these areas.

The Path to Literacy Through Speech

Sydney’s journey is unique. She began her career with a reading intervention company while studying public health in undergrad. This experience, coupled with a master’s program focused on literacy, has provided her with a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between speech and literacy.

“Does speech-language pathology commonly involve literacy?” Sarah Collins, our host, asked Sydney. The answer was enlightening. Sydney explained that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have a broad scope that ranges from early childhood to end-of-life care. Hence, their involvement in literacy varies based on their training and focus. Nonetheless, fostering literacy skills at an early age can make a significant difference in a child’s reading abilities.

Building Blocks of Reading with Phonemic Awareness

One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the concept of phonemic awareness. This foundational skill, the ability to perceive and manipulate speech sounds, is crucial for reading. Sydney emphasized the importance of wordplay, even before formal education begins. For example, playful rhyming games during daily routines can help children develop these skills early on.

“Think about your daily routines,” Sydney advised. “Drive-time, bath time, cooking – these are all opportunities to introduce and reinforce these skills.” Using routines to naturally incorporate literacy activities can make learning engaging and fun, without adding extra stress.

Identifying When to Seek Support

Understanding when to seek the help of an SLP is vital. Sydney suggested that parents observe their child’s language comprehension, conversational skills, and intelligibility. If there are ongoing concerns about certain sounds or words, it could be beneficial to consult an SLP for a comprehensive assessment.

Early intervention can make a big difference, and Sydney encourages parents to trust their instincts. “It hurts nobody to get it checked out,” she reminded us.

Finding the Right SLP

When seeking an SLP, consider their experience, therapeutic style, and specific expertise. Having a good fit is essential for effective therapy. Sydney highlighted that being open and honest about one’s skill and comfort level is crucial for both therapists and parents.

Homeschooling and Literacy

For homeschooling families, navigating the world of speech and literacy can present unique challenges. Sydney recommended leveraging available resources and consulting with SLPs who have expertise in literacy. Depending on your location, school-based services might not always cover literacy, making it essential to explore private practice options if needed.

Incorporating literacy into our daily routines, understanding when to seek professional support, and ensuring a good fit with your SLP are all key aspects of nurturing your child’s speech and literacy development. Sydney Bessard’s insights offer valuable guidance and encouragement for parents navigating this journey.

OT is IN #35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bassard Explains it All

Today Sydney Bassard, a speech therapist joins us to delve into the fascinating connection between literacy and speech development. She works with individuals with dyslexia and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. We’ll explore everything from phonemic awareness hierarchies and wordplay to practical tips for parents on integrating literacy into daily routines. Plus, we’ll touch on what you can expect in a literacy-focused session with an SLP and the critical importance of early intervention.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Sydney’s profession as a speech therapist and unique career path
• Working for a reading intervention company during undergrad
• Scope of practice for speech language pathologists (SLPs)
• From birth to end of life care
• Different focuses within SLP training programs including Medical-focused programs, School and pediatric-focused programs, Programs with a literacy emphasis
• Sydney’s place of practice: The Listening SLP, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Dyslexia, literacy-based challenges, and deaf and hard of hearing
• Creating equitable access to health information through social media
• Mention of a research grant on writing interventions for deaf and hard of hearing kids
• Phonemic Awareness and its Role in Literacy
• Definition and explanation of Phonemic Awareness
• Hierarchy of phonemic awareness skills
• Word level, syllable level, initial sounds
• Complex tasks like segmenting, blending, and manipulation
• Importance of these skills for later reading ability
• Developmental Stages and Speech Development
• Typical ages for different stages of phonemic awareness
• Starting word play around age two
• Onset and rhyme awareness by ages three to four
• Segmenting, blending, and manipulating sounds by ages four to five
• Importance of developmental readiness for learning to read
• Practical Tips for Parents
• Integrating literacy into daily routines, Examples: Car rides, bath time, cooking
• Concept of wordplay and making learning engaging
• Literacy tips backed by scientific research
• Less effective literacy trick examples: Guessing words from pictures, reliance on visuals
• Speech Disorders and Literacy
• Differentiating speech sound production issues from reading difficulties
• Importance of collaboration with SLPs
• Evaluating intelligibility and language comprehension
• When to Seek Speech Therapy
• Self-assessment questions for parents
• Checking for language processing and comprehension difficulties
• Evaluating speech intelligibility
• Recommendation for early intervention
• Questions to ask potential SLPs
• Experience, therapeutic style, comfort with specific diagnoses
• Importance of honesty and fit
• School-Based Vs. Private Practice for Literacy Intervention
• Differences in literacy support between school-based SLPs and private practitioners
• Roles of reading interventionists in schools
• SLP caseload considerations for not covering literacy extensively
• Expectations for Literacy-Based Speech Therapy Sessions
• General activities in literacy-focused sessions
• Word reading, spelling, sentence reading, teaching spelling rules
• Tailoring sessions based on age and needs
• Differences between play-based approaches for younger children and structured sessions for older students

Links and Resources From Today’s Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Vision Therapy Screening Assessment from HomeschoolOT
• Handwriting Focus Group from HomeschoolOT
• What is Literacy?
• How to Support Literacy Skills in Speech Therapy
• Reading and Writing (Literacy) from ASHA
• Episode 19: Understanding Screen Time Effects on Children’s Development and Relationships
• Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland’s Approach and Homeschooling Tips
• Episode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing Strengths
  

Connect with our Guest, Sydney Bassard

Sydney Bassard, MSP, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing and literacy. She owns The Listening SLP, which is her private practice and social media brand.

Sydney was noted as a Distinguished Early Career Professional in 2020 and an Innovator in 2023 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for her work centered on the equity of health information. Through her social media page, she engages with professionals and parents on the topics of hearing loss and literacy. In 2023, Sydney co-authored a children’s book, A Day with Mom, with her mother. The book tells the story of a little girl who is excited to spend the day with her mom on a typical Saturday.

Sydney is actively involved with research related to both clinical areas of interest. Sydney is a co-primary investigator on a research study investigating writing outcomes for children who are Deaf and hard of hearing through a cultural and linguistic diversity lens. Her goal is for professionals and parents to listen, learn, and advocate together.