Understanding and meeting the communication needs of children is paramount to their development. While in school, most children receive support they need by teachers, but  parents often also need guidance to make sure that their child is thriving at home.

The Turlock Unified School District Special Education office aims to provide parents this necessary information by offering a free workshop titled, "Understanding the World of Speech and Language Communication," which is open to all parents, caregivers, guardians, foster parents and group home staff with students in TUSD.

The workshop will provide strategies for expanding children’s language skills, offer approaches for parents to help their children with developmentally appropriate speech sounds and articulate the differences between speech and language. The nuances of communication are important as children develop and the TUSD Special Education office aims to make sure parents are aware of the resources available to them to make the developmental years as smooth as possible.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to come and learn about speech and language disorders and how to help their children.  Both of the speech pathologists presenting are highly educated, experienced professionals in the field,” said Matthew Devins, a program specialist at TUSD Special Education.  

TUSD Special education will offer the "Understanding the World of Speech and Language Communication" workshop at two times on Jan. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the TUSD District Office, 1574 E. Canal Dr. The morning session will take place in Room 102 and the evening session will be in rooms WW5 and WW7. Snacks will be provided. Spanish interpreters will be provided upon request; and child care is available only for the evening session.

Those interested in attending should RSVP to the TUSD Special Education office at 667-8519, noting which session they are interested in attending and if a interpreter will be needed.