SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS IN SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF - A SURVEY OF SCOPE OF PRACTICE, SERVICE DELIVERY, CASELOAD AND PROGRAM FEATURES

Analyses of surveys of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in schools for the Deaf across the United States enable a profile of SLPs' scope of practice, caseload size and characteristics, and delivery of servic es, as well as features of programs through which they serve students. The findings are compared to previous results of surveys, both large and small, of SLPs in local school programs. Results point favorably t o the services provided by SLPs in schools for the Deaf in terms of SL Ps' proficiency in sign language, their smaller caseloads, the amount of time they spend in direct services, and a broad range of practice t hat focuses on written language, sign language, and functional communi cation.