IEP Goal Writing for Speech-Language Pathologists: Utilizing State Standards

About Elissa KilduffLydia Kopel

Lydia Kopel EdS CCC-SLP currently works for a contract company supervising clinical fellows and does training and consulting all over the United States. Ms. Kopel has over 39 years of experience which includes working as a Special Education Coordinator a Lead Speech-Language Pathologist and as a SLP in large metro school systems. During that time she developed several resource manuals for SLPs and teachers of the hearing impaired and visually impaired. She has worked with children ages 3 to 21 years of age and with all areas of exceptionality. She has a great interest in language-based learning disabilities and integrating the curriculum with speech therapy. Ms. Kopel was a member of the Georgia School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist Leadership Team established through the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE). While on this team she co-developed the Georgia State project SLPs Collaborating in General Education Classrooms: Practicing Seamless Education. She is also one of the founders and continues to be a member of the Georgia Organization for School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists which currently has over 700 members. Ms. Kopel is a member of ASHA and has her Georgia State License. Her personal interests include photography traveling and spending time with family and friends.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Elissa Kilduff M.A. CCC-SLP currently works as a speech-language pathologist in a suburban school district. As one of five SLPs in an elementary school she primarily serves PreK-2nd graders with a variety of disabilities and special needs. She collaborates extensively with administration special educators and general educators in the school regarding prior interventions carryover into classrooms in-class lessons and communication-based behavior concerns. Prior to her current role Ms. Kilduff served as the lead SLP in a large school system where she supervised and trained the countys 150+ SLPs. She has a great interest in language-based learning disabilities collaboration with general and special education teachers behavior disorders and curriculum-based interventions. Ms. Kilduff was a member of the Georgia School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist Leadership Team established through the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). This team developed a state-wide training for SLPs and General Education Teachers on collaboration. She has designed resources including evidence-based interventions and progress monitoring rubrics for Response to Intervention (RTI); language checklists aligned to grade-level standards; and educational impact of common standardized language assessments. Ms. Kilduff is a member of ASHA and holds a Georgia state license and certification from the Professional Standards Commission. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends including her husband daughter and dog.