Speech and Language Impairments

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, defines the term “speech or language impairment” as follows:

“(11) Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.”

General Characteristics:
"Children with speech and language impairments are a large and diverse group of learners. Some have speech disorders, many have language disorders, some have both speech and language disorders, and still others have coexisting disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities and language disorders)" (page. 127).
 Strengths & Abilities:

• Individuals with speech and language impairments are very different from one another and have many unique strengths and abilities. With intervention, students can overcome their difficulties and do well in school.

Needs:

• Classrooms with interesting materials and high-interest activities
• Oral communication (group activities)
• Reasons to talk
• Modeling from teacher on correct language
• Wait time for student who may be experiencing word retrieval difficulties
• Directions rephrased
• Physical cues from teacher
• Chances to ask questions when confused

Examples of Assistive Technology: (page. 147 of our text has a whole section about technology devices that can help individuals with speech or language impairments communicate more effectively at school & in the community)

1. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices provide different means for individuals with speech or language impairments to interact and communicate with others. Here is my post about AAC devices and a video of a girl using one at Walmart!  

     2. Communication board - low tech assistive technology device that display pictures or words that the individual can point to in order to communicate.
Resources:

• http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/speechlanguage/