Speech and Language Impairments Fact Sheet
Speech and Language Impairments Fact Sheet
Speech and Language Impairments Fact Sheet
Impairments
✧ Definit
efinit ion ✧
inition (including speech, language, and
hearing disorders) affect one of every
Speech and language disorders refer 10 people in the United States.
Disability Fact Sheet—No.11
✧ Incidence ✧
is the
More than one million of the National Dissemination Center
students served in the public schools’ for Children with Disabilities.
special education programs in the
2000-2001 school year were categorized
NICHCY
as having a speech or language P.O. Box 1492
NICHCY
Disabi lit
lityy F
Disabilit act S
Fact heet, N
Sheet, o. 11
No.
January 2004
Speech disorders refer to difficulties producing speech
sounds or problems with voice quality. They might be
characterized by an interruption in the flow or rhythm of
speech, such as stuttering, which is called dysfluency.
Speech disorders may be problems with the way sounds are
formed, called articulation or phonological disorders, or
they may be difficulties with the pitch, volume, or
quality of the voice. There may be a combination of
several problems. People with speech disorders have
trouble using some speech sounds, which can also be
a symptom of a delay. They may say “see” when they
mean “ski” or they may have trouble using other
sounds like “l” or “r.” Listeners may have trouble
understanding what someone with a speech disorder is
trying to say. People with voice disorders may have
trouble with the way their voices sound.
teacher about the most effective ways to facilitate the Questions Often Asked
by Parents About Special
child’s communication in the class setting; and work
Education Services
closely with the family to develop goals and techniques for
Developing Your Child’s
effective therapy in class and at home. The speech-
IEP
language pathologist may assist vocational teachers and
All are available in
counselors in establishing communication goals related to
English and in Spanish—
the work experiences of students and suggest strategies that on our Web site or by
are effective for the important transition from school to contacting us.
employment and adult life.
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