YUKO KOSUGI

Speech Pathology

To enhance special education, a Speech-Language-Hearing Therapist (ST) worked with special education teachers in a public elementary school once a week. First, the ST assessed children's language competence and functions, and improved each child's individual educational plan (IEP) made by teachers. Second, the ST presented methods of training to teachers directly, and advised them on the methods. Third, the ST supported each child's family when they took the child to and from school. This report focuses on the developmental process of two children diagnosed with autism and the effects of the training on them. It is suggested that behaviour in daily life cannot be adequately predicted from the assessment of the medical situation (ST) and that language competence and functions do not match the assessment of the educational situation by the teachers. In addition, it was ascertained that the cooperation method between the ST and the teachers in this study was effective in improving the training skill of teachers. An effective support system for the child with developmental disabilities in elementary school is discussed.