What are Speech and Language Disorders?
ASHAs defines them as:
"When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder. Difficulties pronouncing sounds, or articulation disorders, and stuttering are examples of speech disorders.
When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she has a language disorder. A stroke can result in aphasia, or a language disorder.
Both children and adults can have speech and language disorders. They can occur as a result of a medical problem or have no known cause."
Why did this happen to my child?
Many things can contribute to a child's impairment. Speech impairments can be caused by hearing loss, chronic ear infections, stroke, a medical problem, or the cause may be unknown.
When will my child recover from their disorder?
There are several areas that contribute to the amount of time a child spends in therapy. The severity of the impairment, the focus of the child during each therapy session, attendance, and the amount of follow up at home.
What is the problem?
Each impairment is unique. All information related to your child's specific situation will be noted in the IEP (Individual Education Plan).
What can we do?
The number one thing you can do at home is TALK TO YOUR CHILD and READ TO YOUR CHILD! This develops language and allows your child to practice his/her speech. Also, practice any speech homework that is sent home. Check your child's speech folder.
What software can I get?
Check the resources and apps pages on this site for recommendations.
Can you see my child more often or for a longer period of time?
The amount of time a child is seen is determined by what is being worked on and the severity of the impairment.
How do you decide if you will see my child one-on-one or in a group?
If there are other students who are working on the same skill it may be beneficial to work in small groups. Students also enjoy working with others. There are times and skills that may require working one-on-one. Each student is different. Groups may change throughout the school year.
How do you decide if you will see my child in the classroom or pull him/her out?
It all depends on what type of skill your child is working on. Articulation practice is best addressed in the speech room, since students must focus on the placement of their tongue, jaw, and other facial articulators. This can be hard to focus on in the classroom environment.
Why don't school based SLPs work on tongue thrust?
CCSD considers tongue thrust to be a medical issue. Click here for more information.
Why does speech fall under special education?
The federal government named thirteen categories under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Speech falls under "speech or language impairment" and allows schools to receive federal monies.
What does speech or language impairment mean?
It means a communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.
What does adversely affects mean?
The phrase “adversely affects" educational performance appears in most of the disability definitions. This does not mean, however, that a child has to be failing in school to receive special education and related services. According to IDEA, a free appropriate public education is available to “any individual child with a disability who needs special education and related services, even if the child has not failed or been retained in a course or grade, and is advancing from grade to grade.”
ASHAs defines them as:
"When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder. Difficulties pronouncing sounds, or articulation disorders, and stuttering are examples of speech disorders.
When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she has a language disorder. A stroke can result in aphasia, or a language disorder.
Both children and adults can have speech and language disorders. They can occur as a result of a medical problem or have no known cause."
Why did this happen to my child?
Many things can contribute to a child's impairment. Speech impairments can be caused by hearing loss, chronic ear infections, stroke, a medical problem, or the cause may be unknown.
When will my child recover from their disorder?
There are several areas that contribute to the amount of time a child spends in therapy. The severity of the impairment, the focus of the child during each therapy session, attendance, and the amount of follow up at home.
What is the problem?
Each impairment is unique. All information related to your child's specific situation will be noted in the IEP (Individual Education Plan).
What can we do?
The number one thing you can do at home is TALK TO YOUR CHILD and READ TO YOUR CHILD! This develops language and allows your child to practice his/her speech. Also, practice any speech homework that is sent home. Check your child's speech folder.
What software can I get?
Check the resources and apps pages on this site for recommendations.
Can you see my child more often or for a longer period of time?
The amount of time a child is seen is determined by what is being worked on and the severity of the impairment.
How do you decide if you will see my child one-on-one or in a group?
If there are other students who are working on the same skill it may be beneficial to work in small groups. Students also enjoy working with others. There are times and skills that may require working one-on-one. Each student is different. Groups may change throughout the school year.
How do you decide if you will see my child in the classroom or pull him/her out?
It all depends on what type of skill your child is working on. Articulation practice is best addressed in the speech room, since students must focus on the placement of their tongue, jaw, and other facial articulators. This can be hard to focus on in the classroom environment.
Why don't school based SLPs work on tongue thrust?
CCSD considers tongue thrust to be a medical issue. Click here for more information.
Why does speech fall under special education?
The federal government named thirteen categories under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Speech falls under "speech or language impairment" and allows schools to receive federal monies.
What does speech or language impairment mean?
It means a communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.
What does adversely affects mean?
The phrase “adversely affects" educational performance appears in most of the disability definitions. This does not mean, however, that a child has to be failing in school to receive special education and related services. According to IDEA, a free appropriate public education is available to “any individual child with a disability who needs special education and related services, even if the child has not failed or been retained in a course or grade, and is advancing from grade to grade.”