Communication

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines speech/language impairment as “a communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment or a voice impairment that adversely affects a student’s educational performance.”

Minnesota Rule 3525.1343 outlines the specific categorical requirements and criteria for speech or language impairments eligibility in Minnesota.

• Fluency disorder means the intrusion or repetition of sounds, syllables, and words; prolongation of sounds; avoidance of words; silent blocks; or inappropriate inhalation, exhalation, or phonation patterns. These patterns may also be accompanied by facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak.

• Voice disorder means the absence of voice or presence of abnormal quality, pitch, resonance, loudness, or duration.

• Articulation disorder means the absence of or incorrect production of speech sounds or phonological processes that are developmentally appropriate (e.g. lisp, difficulty articulating certain sounds, such as l or r).

• Language disorder means a breakdown in communication as characterized by problems in expressing needs, ideas, or information that may be accompanied by problems in understanding.