Special Education Services

Hi there! My name is Andrea Schmittgens (Mrs. S) and this is my first year in District #34! I feel excited and grateful to be a part of the Winfield family! I obtained my Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, IL and my Master’s degree from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. Since receiving my Master’s degree and my Certification of Clinical Competence in 2015, I have had the opportunity of working in many settings. I have worked full time as a school-based Speech Language Pathologist for the past 5 years. I have worked part time in other settings, including outpatient clinics and early intervention with children ages birth to 15 years of age. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our Bernese Mountain Dog, Finley.

Andrea Schmittgens

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES

School based Speech/Language services are not intended to take the place of private therapy. In the school setting, the Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP) focuses on improving a student’s ability to communicate in their educational program. Some of the areas which a school-based SLP may focus on can include:

  • Articulation (how students make their speech sounds)
  • Receptive Language (how well students understand what is said to them)
  • Expressive Language (how well students can say what they want to say)
  • Pragmatics (How students use their language in day to day or social ways)
  • Fluency (also known as stuttering)

School-based speech therapy may be delivered in the classroom to support a student’s educational needs.  Younger students often benefit and generalize skills more easily through play, music and movement activities, while primary and intermediate students may benefit from speech services that help support literacy.  If a student’s needs requires a different delivery model, services may be provided through sessions outside of the classroom either individually or in small groups.

The SLP also supports teachers in developing programming for unique communication challenges such as augmentative communication devices, picture schedules, and/or sign language.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Andrea Schmittgens
aschmittgens@winfield34.org
(630) 909-4915

ANDREA SCHMITTGENS

Andrea S