Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about speech and language disorders and how they are addressed in the school setting

1. What is a speech and language disorder?
2. Do speech-language disorders affect learning?
3. How may a speech-language disorder affect school performance?

What is a speech and language disorder?

Children may experience one or more of the following disorders:
1.  SPEECH SOUND DISORDERS - (difficulty saying sounds. The most well know 
subcategory is commonly referred to as articulation.)
2.  LANGUAGE DISORDERS - (difficulty understanding what they hear as well as 
expressing themselves in words. This may also include nonverbal communication 
such as as facial expressions and gestures as well as picking up on other 
social cues such as tone of voice and culturally established "rules." )
3.  COGNITIVE COMMUNICATION DISORDERS - (difficulty with thinking skills 
including perception, memory, awareness, reasoning, judgement, intellect, and 
imagination)
4. FLUENCY DISORDERS  (interuption of the flow of speech that may include 
hesitations, repetitions, prolongations of sounds or words.  A well known 
subcategory is stuttering)
5.  VOICE DISORDERS  (quality of voice that may include hoarseness, nasality, 
volume (too loud or too soft)

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Do speech-language disorders affect learning?

Speech and language skills are essential to academic success and learning.  
Language is the basis for communicating.  Reading, writing, gesturing, 
listening, and speaking are all forms of communication.  The ability to 
communicate with peers and adults in the education setting is essential for a 
student to succeed in school.

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How may a speech-language disorder affect school performance?

Children with communication disorders do not perfform at grade level.  They 
may struggle with reading, have difficulty understanding and expressing 
language, misunderstand social cues, avoid attending school, show poor 
judgement, and have difficulty with tests. Difficulty in learning to listen, 
speak, read, or write can result from problems in language development.  
Problems can occur in production, comprehension, and awareness of language 
sounds, syllables, words, sentences, and conversation.  Individuals with 
reading and writing problems may have trouble using language to communicate, 
think and learn.

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