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Speech or Language Impairment
Definition
Speech or language impairment is defined as a communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects the child's educational performance. [34 CFR 300.8(c)(11)]
(05-071 Chapter 101, Maine Unified Special Education Regulations)
Procedure for Determination. All steps below are required.
- Data from general education interventions, if appropriate, utilizing research based intervention techniques indicate that the response to intervention is not adequate.
- For assessments that provide standard scores, the criteria for determining disability will be in the moderate to severe range for the child's age as determined by the rating scales.
- For assessments that do not provide standard scores, criteria for a moderate to severe disability must be met by the quantifiable measure as determined by the rating scales.
- For clinical observations documenting the effect of communication on educational performance in evaluation reports, the criteria for meeting a moderate to severe disability must be detailed by the examiner as determined by the rating scales.
- Evaluation data shall be entered into a rating scale which measures a moderate to severe level of speech or language impairment in all levels of assessment.
- Diagnosis will be by a licensed or certified professional who is qualified to make a diagnosis under this criteria, as reflected by a Certified speech/language clinician or Licensed speech/language pathologist.
Useful Links:
Ad Hoc Committee on the Roles/Responsibilities of the School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Resources
Early Intervention - Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers
IDEA Regulation and Resources Related to Early Intervention
Maine State Contact Information
Reading Rockets - Speech and Language Impairments
Speech and Language Development