School-based speech-language pathologists (SLP) treat students with impairments that impact one or more of the following areas:

• Speech sound disorders: atypical production of speech sounds characterized by substitutions, omissions, additions, or distortions. Includes articulation and phonological disorders.

• Language disorder: impaired ability to understand and/or express thoughts, opinions, wants, and needs. Language is characterized and can be disordered in one or more of three areas – (1) form: phonology, morphology, syntax; (2) content: semantics or meaning; (3) use: pragmatic/social use of language.

• Fluency disorder (Stuttering): interruption in the flow of speech characterized by repetitions, prolongations, and/or blocks on sounds, syllables, words, or phrases.

• Voice disorder: abnormal production and/or absence of vocal quality, pitch, volume, resonance, or duration, which is inconsistent with student’s age and sex.

Students may be eligible for speech therapy if they meet TEA eligibility criteria in one or more of the above areas. To meet eligibility criteria, TEA mandates student’s impairment impacts academic instruction and performance. Contact your school’s SLP for more information regarding referral, evaluation, treatment, and IEPs.