Speech Language Impairment

The Virginia Department of Education describes a speech/language impairment as a communication disorder, such as dysfluency (stuttering), impaired articulation, expressive or receptive language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance (VDOE, Eligibility Worksheet for SLI).

Speech-language impairments can impact the way a student communicates. Speech errors include errors when producing specific sounds that are not a result of normal development or language acquisition, dysfluency (stuttering), or motor speech issues. Students may also receive therapy for improving the understanding and use of spoken or written language, pragmatics, and meta-linguistic skills. Students with swallowing disorders or dysphagia can also receive services from speech-language pathologists (SLP) in Virginia public schools (VDOE).

Speech-Language Impairment (SLI) services may be available to students who:

1. Meet eligibility criteria under the disability category of speech-language impairment as decided by an eligibility committee. In order to be eligible under the category of SLI, the following must be documented:

a. the presence of a speech-language impairment

b. the speech-language impairment has an adverse educational impact

c. the student requires specialized instruction: (Virginia Department of Education, “Speech-Language Pathology Services in Schools: Guidelines for Best Practice”, 2005, 96).

d. Require speech-language services in order to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education (VDOE, “Speech-Language Pathology Services in Schools: Guidelines for Best Practice”, 2005,17). This process is referred to as a “related service consideration” and is completed through the IEP committee.

Common Characteristics

• • • • Sound speech areas: distortions, omissions, substations, and additions

      • Stuttering

      • Abnormal vocal quality such as pitch, loudness, or resonance

      • Language impairment in phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics

Criteria

• • • • Speech impairments

      • Articulation disorders

      • Fluency disorders

      • Voice disorders

      • Language delays

      • Educational impact