There is a shortage of speech-language pathologists across the country and in Minnesota.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 1 in 14 kids has had a communication disorder in the past year. The University of Minnesota says it’s working on creative solutions to address the issue.
“It’s really improved his quality of life,” Jessica Weiche said. Her son, 8-year-old Everett Weiche, has been in therapy with a speech-language pathologist since he was a baby and sees an SLP every week at his elementary school in Plymouth.
Emily Aust, president of the Minnesota Speech-Language Hearing Association, said there are districts in Minnesota with openings for SLPs.
And they talk about telehealth as part of the solution…
Becky Ludewig Lulai, director of clinical programs in speech-language pathology at the U of M, said they’re launching telehealth programs in two rural Minnesota school districts.
They have also structured their program to get more graduate students out in schools.
“We have 30 students each getting three external rotations in our programs,” Lulai said.
Communication is essential in school, and students like Everett continue to build on it.