WELCOME to SPEECH-LANGUAGE SERVICES!
The speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at the William E. Norris School provide diagnostic and treatment services for students with speech and language delays and disorders. Services are provided in individual or small-group pullout sessions and/or in students' classrooms, as well as through consultations with teachers, other staff members, and parents. In accordance with state and national requirements, all of Norris' experienced SLPs possess graduate degrees, comply with state and national licensure standards, and maintain education certification for the state of Massachusetts.
SLPs support students' abilities in the following areas, which are sometimes referred to as "The Six Strands of Language:"
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Phonology: the sound system for oral language production, decoding, and spelling.
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Morphology and Syntax: the word order and complexity of clausal structure, as well as the addition/omission of word endings such as "-ed" or "-ing" (e.g., grammar and sentence structure).
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Semantics: the meanings of words and their relationship to each other within and across sentence boundaries, such as multiple meaning words, cohesive/linking devices, and figurative language (e.g., vocabulary).
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Pragmatics: the social uses of language or the reason for communication; for example, what to say, to whom, and in what manner.
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Discourse: the level of oral language or print that is beyond the level of the single sentence (e.g., narrative).
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Metalinguistics: the acquired process of dealing with and manipulating language as an "object" rather than as a means of communication (e.g., "circle all the nouns in the sentence," attention to the "an" in the word "ran" to produce a rhyming word, and the language game called "Pig Latin" are all examples of metalinguistic tasks).
INTRODUCING WILLIAM E. NORRIS SCHOOL'S SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY TEAM!
Erica Bell
Erica Bell, M.S., CCC-SLP, has worked as a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist for 11 years. She received her Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College.
While at Emerson, Erica's pediatric training included a six-month diagnostic placement at Children’s Hospital in Boston and a practicum in the Cambridge Public Schools. She currently works with students in grades two and three.
You may contact Mrs. Bell at ebell@hr-k12.org
Debra McNeice
Debra McNeice, M.A., CCC-SLP, received both her Bachelor and Master of Art degrees in Communication Disorders from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She co-taught in the Inclusion Preschool Program at the Norris School for 11 years. Currently, Debra works to strengthen the communication skills of students in grades four through six. Her speech-language therapy services include individual and small-group therapy, social skills training, classroom support, and consultation to parents and school staff.
You may contact Mrs. McNeice at dmcneice@hr-k12.org
Julie Reiss
Julie Reiss, M.A., CCC-SLP, has been a speech pathologist for 18 years and has worked in a wide variety of settings. She received her B.A. at University of Pittsburgh and her M.A. at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Julie is currently working on finishing her course work in Applied Behavioral Analysis at Westfield State University. She works with students in kindergarten and first grade, while also acting as Clinical Supervisor of speech-language services for the Norris Inclusion Preschool Program.
You may contact Ms. Reiss at jreiss@hr-k12.org
Stephanie Dimetres, Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Stephanie Dimetres, B.A., SLP-A, received her bachelor's degree from Westfield State University and completed a Communication Disorders program from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is currently working towards her Master's degree in Communication Disorders from the University of South Carolina. Stephanie works in the Norris Inclusion Preschool Program. She loves working in preschool and focuses on small-group therapy as well as individual work.
You may contact Mrs. Dimetres ("Ms. Stephanie") at sdimetres@hr-k12.org
