Speech Impairment

• Example: A child might repeat sounds or syllables ("t-t-t-talk"), prolong sounds ("sssssun"), or hesitate or block before speaking.

3. Voice Disorders:

• Definition: This type of impairment involves problems with the quality, pitch, or volume of the voice. This can be due to issues with the vocal cords, lungs, or other parts of the vocal mechanism.
• Example: A child might have a hoarse voice, speak with a raspy quality, or have difficulty controlling the volume of their voice.

Demonstrating Speech Impairments in the Classroom

Here are examples of how a student might demonstrate each type of speech impairment in the classroom:

1. Articulation Disorder:

• In a reading activity, the student stumbles over words with specific sounds, such as saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" or "pish" instead of "fish."
• During a classroom discussion, the student may avoid speaking altogether or speak very softly to avoid being noticed.

2. Fluency Disorder:

• When called upon to answer a question, the student may repeat the first sound or syllable of the word ("w-w-what?").
• The student may hesitate or block before speaking, leading to awkward pauses and silences.
• The student's speech may be characterized by rapid bursts of words followed by periods of silence.

3. Voice Disorder:

• The student's voice may sound hoarse, raspy, or strained.
• The student may have difficulty speaking loudly enough to be heard clearly in the classroom.
• The student may have difficulty controlling the pitch of their voice, resulting in a monotone or inappropriate pitch level.

These are just a few examples, and the specific ways in which a student demonstrates a speech impairment will vary depending on the individual and the severity of the impairment.

It is important for educators to be aware of these different types of speech impairments and to be able to identify them in their classrooms. Early identification and intervention can help students overcome their communication challenges and achieve success in school.

Defining Speech Impairments

Based on the information provided at http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/speech-language-impairments/, here are definitions and examples of the three types of speech impairments:

1. Articulation Disorders:

• Definition: This type of impairment involves difficulty producing specific speech sounds correctly. This can manifest as substitutions, omissions, or distortions of sounds.
• Example: A child might say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit," omit the "k" sound in "cat," or distort the "l" sound in "light."

2. Fluency Disorders:

• Definition: This type of impairment involves disruptions in the normal flow and rhythm of speech, such as stuttering or stammering.