Sooner State News

The University of Central Oklahoma has issued the following press release:

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program will open a SLP preschool in fall 2022. The therapeutic preschool will offer half-day programs for children ages 3 to 5 with communication delays and disorders. 

The framework of the program will include play-based learning, which will allow children to develop and practice new social and cognitive skills around self-directed play activities. Children will have the opportunity to participate in individual, small- and large-group therapy that will address communication needs and academic readiness skills.

"This therapeutic preschool is a wonderful opportunity for children to develop their communication skills while working with graduate students under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists,” said David Rehfeld, Ph.D., assistant professor for the Donna Nigh Department of Advanced Professional and Special Services at UCO. 

“The daily structure of the program will help prepare children for a structured school day by using a blend of adult- and child-led activities.”

The goal of the program is to enrich the language skills of children with communication disorders, as well as promote their overall development through a multisensory and multimodal communication approachthat include voice, sign language, written word and pictures. 

Three-hour, half-day morning and afternoon sessions will be available four days a week per to provide children with distributed and intensive practice on individualized goals to set them each child up for success at school entry. Applications for the SLP therapeutic preschool are now available.

For more information about Central’s SLP therapeutic preschool or admissions, visit www.uco.edu/ceps/centers-and-clinics/scott-f-mclaughlin-speech-and-hearing-clinic/therapeutic-preschool/ or contact slpkids@uco.edu.