Speech Disabilities

Written by:
Lori Hansmeyer, M.S. CCC/SLP lori.hansmeyer@norris160.org
Denise Petsche, M.S. CCC/SLP

Taken from: http://www.norris160.org/hansmeyerl/Speech/Speech%20Disabilities.htm

Speech difficulties may interfere with a child’s ability to successfully communicate. Speech disabilities may occur in any of the three areas of speech. A speech disability alone DOES NOT affect a student's performance in the classroom.

If a student has a speech disability, some of the following errors may occur:

Articulation
*Substitutes one sound for another sound (e.g., “ The ball is wed.” for “The ball is red.” or “The cwown is thilly.” for “The clown is silly.” )
*A sound is omitted in a word (e.g., “Pay the piano.” for “Play the piano.”)
*An extra sound is inserted in a word (e.g., “bulue” for “blue”)
*Distorts or mispronounces words or sounds when speaking (not attributed to dialect or accent)
*Has difficulty imitating speech sounds
*Student is aware of own speech errors and shows signs of frustration when he/she is frequently misunderstood
*Speech sound errors distract you from what he/she is saying
*Speech is markedly delayed in comparison with that of his/her classmates
*Has sound discrimination problems

Information about Speech Disorders
http://www.kidsource.com/NICHCY/speech.html

Fluency
*Flow of speech is interrupted during conversation by part word repetitions, whole word repetitions, prolongations or interjections
*Secondary characteristics are present while speaking
*Dysfluent speech causes unfavorable listener reaction
*Student shows signs of frustration because of “stuttering”
*The student appears to be avoiding speaking in class

Information about Stuttering
http://www.cmi.k12.il.us/~inglemjo/flunarts.html

Voice
*Voice quality sounds harsh, breathy, and/or hoarse
*Voice quality sounds hypernasal (e.g., sounds like the student is talking through his/her nose) or hyponasal (e.g., sounds like the student has a cold)
*Volume is too loud or too soft for the situation
*Pitch is too high or too low for age and gender
*Voice quality causes unfavorable listener reaction
*Voice is monotone (lacks inflection)
*School medical records indicate presence of cleft in teeth ridge or palate, history of allergies, medical diagnosis of voice problems

*Difficulty with adequate breath support
****In order for a student to receive services in the area of voice, they must have a doctor report.

Information about Voice Disorders
http://www.voicedisordercenter.meei.harvard.edu/disorders/

Handout Created by:
Lori Hansmeyer, M.S. CCC/SLP, lori.hansmeyer@norris160.org
Denise Petsche, M.S. CCC/SLP
Norris School District #160
25211 South 68th Firth, NE 68358
http://www.norris160.org/hansmeyerl/Speech/Speech%20Disabilities.htm