Characteristics of speech impairments
-Trouble forming sounds (called articulation or phonological disorders)
-Difficulties with the pitch, volume, or quality or the voice
-May display stuttering (dysfluency), an interruption in the flow of speech
-Omits of substitutes sounds when pronouncing words
-May have trouble getting others to understand what they are trying to say
-May have trouble with the way their voice sounds
-Is echolalic (repeats speech)
-Does not use appropriate speaking volume (too loud or too soft)
-May have breathy, harsh, husky or monotone voice
-Continually sounds congested
-Sounds nasal and voice may have a "whining" quality
-Has abnormal rhythm or rate of speech
-Frequently prolongs or repeats sounds, words, phrases and/or sentences during speech
-Has unintelligible (cannot be understood) or indistinct speech
(Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs)
Characteristics of Language Impairments
-Noticeably behind other students in speech and/or language skills development
-May have a learning disability (difficulties with reading or writing language) with average intelligence
-Improper use of words and their meanings
-Inability to express ideas
-Inappropriate use of grammar when talking or writing
-Inability to follow directions
-Difficulties in understanding and/or using words in context, both verbally and nonverbally
-May hear or see a word but not be able to understand its meaning
-May have trouble getting others to understand what they are trying to communicate
-Has difficulty remembering and using specific words during conversation, or when answering a question
-Asks questions and/or responds to questions inappropriately
-Has difficulty discriminating likenesses and differences
-Has difficulty breaking words into sounds and syllable
-Has difficulty with concepts or time, space, quantity, size, and measurement
-Has difficulty understanding and using complex sentences
-Has problems understanding rules and patterns for word and sentence formation
-Cannot identify pronouns
-Cannot retell the events in a story in order
-Cannot make predictions, make judgments, draw conclusions
-Difficulties with figurative language (such as alliteration, similes, metaphors, personification, and idioms)
-Cannot give clear directions
-Cannot summarize essential details from hearing or reading a passage, nor distinguish relevant from irrelevant information
-Has difficulty understanding and solving math word problems (one or multi-step)
-Will not initiate conversation
-Has difficulty reading what others communicate through facial expressions and body language
-Repeats what is said or what is read, vocally or sub vocally (under breathe)
-Uses gestures when talking or in place of talking
-Is slow to respond during verbal interaction or following verbal cues
-Cannot identify or use different language in written work (expository, descriptive or narrative)
-Cannot write an organized paragraph
(Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs)
-May have a learning disability (difficulties with reading or writing language) with average intelligence
-Improper use of words and their meanings
-Inability to express ideas
-Inappropriate use of grammar when talking or writing
-Inability to follow directions
-Difficulties in understanding and/or using words in context, both verbally and nonverbally
-May hear or see a word but not be able to understand its meaning
-May have trouble getting others to understand what they are trying to communicate
-Has difficulty remembering and using specific words during conversation, or when answering a question
-Asks questions and/or responds to questions inappropriately
-Has difficulty discriminating likenesses and differences
-Has difficulty breaking words into sounds and syllable
-Has difficulty with concepts or time, space, quantity, size, and measurement
-Has difficulty understanding and using complex sentences
-Has problems understanding rules and patterns for word and sentence formation
-Cannot identify pronouns
-Cannot retell the events in a story in order
-Cannot make predictions, make judgments, draw conclusions
-Difficulties with figurative language (such as alliteration, similes, metaphors, personification, and idioms)
-Cannot give clear directions
-Cannot summarize essential details from hearing or reading a passage, nor distinguish relevant from irrelevant information
-Has difficulty understanding and solving math word problems (one or multi-step)
-Will not initiate conversation
-Has difficulty reading what others communicate through facial expressions and body language
-Repeats what is said or what is read, vocally or sub vocally (under breathe)
-Uses gestures when talking or in place of talking
-Is slow to respond during verbal interaction or following verbal cues
-Cannot identify or use different language in written work (expository, descriptive or narrative)
-Cannot write an organized paragraph
(Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs)
Characteristics Overall
-Overall academic achievement may be lower than expected
-Word knowledge may be below expected
-Word substitutions may occur frequently in reading and writing (when copying)
-Hesitates or refuses to participate in activities where speaking is required
-Is inattentive and has difficulty with concentration
-May not initiate or maintain eye contact
-May become easily frustrated
-Has difficulty following directions
-Must be "shown" what to do
-Has trouble understanding information from what is seen, heard or felt
-May be embarrassed by speech, regardless of age
-Acts impulsively, and may respond before instructions are given out
-May isolate themselves from social situations
-Has frequent allergy problems or colds
-Has oral muscular coordination slower than normal
-Displays clumsiness or seems to be uncoordinated
(Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs)
-Can't complete homework
-Participation in class discussion is badly handled or non-existent
-Has trouble gaining information from class lectures and from books
-Following the rules of the classroom is inconsistent or does not understand them of the need to follow them
-Poor at tests
-Can't explain what the reason for failure
-Has trouble with the school routine
-Concentration and attention appear poor
-Poor self-esteem
-Problems making and maintaining friendships
-Lost motivation, cumulative sense of failure
-Depression, anger, frustration, withdrawal, aggression
(Gargiulo, R.M. (2006).)
-Word knowledge may be below expected
-Word substitutions may occur frequently in reading and writing (when copying)
-Hesitates or refuses to participate in activities where speaking is required
-Is inattentive and has difficulty with concentration
-May not initiate or maintain eye contact
-May become easily frustrated
-Has difficulty following directions
-Must be "shown" what to do
-Has trouble understanding information from what is seen, heard or felt
-May be embarrassed by speech, regardless of age
-Acts impulsively, and may respond before instructions are given out
-May isolate themselves from social situations
-Has frequent allergy problems or colds
-Has oral muscular coordination slower than normal
-Displays clumsiness or seems to be uncoordinated
(Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs)
-Can't complete homework
-Participation in class discussion is badly handled or non-existent
-Has trouble gaining information from class lectures and from books
-Following the rules of the classroom is inconsistent or does not understand them of the need to follow them
-Poor at tests
-Can't explain what the reason for failure
-Has trouble with the school routine
-Concentration and attention appear poor
-Poor self-esteem
-Problems making and maintaining friendships
-Lost motivation, cumulative sense of failure
-Depression, anger, frustration, withdrawal, aggression
(Gargiulo, R.M. (2006).)