Generally, yes. Speech and language impairment is one of the categories that make children eligible for additional support under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
This article helps parents of children with speech or language impairments understand how these issues might affect their child’s learning experience and which supports are common. Finally, it explains how a therapeutic school in NYC can help.
What Is a Speech or Language Impairment?
The answer depends on whether you ask medical or legal professionals.
On the medical side, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) uses the phrase “speech sound disorder (SSD)” as a term for any disorder involving “any difficulty or a combination of difficulties with perception, motor production, or phonological representation of speech sounds and speech segments, including phonotactic rules governing permissible speech sound sequences in a language.” In plain English, an SSD is present when a child has difficulty speaking, understanding others’ speech, or learning which sounds belong in their speech.
Legally, the IDEA offers support to children with qualifying disabilities. One of these is “speech or language impairment,” or SLI. The IDEA says that an SLI is “a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment.” Under the IDEA, a condition is only an SLI if the child has no hearing loss. So, if your child’s language issues are caused by hearing problems, they may qualify for help under other portions of the IDEA, but not SLI. Additionally, SLI only covers spoken words. Written speech and language typically fall under different IDEA categories.
Are Speech and Language the Same Thing?
No. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDOCD), a language disorder is present when a child has “trouble understanding what others say (receptive language) or difficulty sharing their thoughts (expressive language).” On the other hand, a child who has difficulty producing speech sounds, placing them in the proper order, or who hesitates or stutters has a speech disorder.
Parents should recognize that under these definitions, a child who speaks perfectly might still have language difficulties. Conversely, a child who struggles to speak may have no language issues.
Can Speech or Language Impairments Affect Children at School?
Absolutely. Generally, IDEA applies only when a student’s disability adversely affects their academic performance. SLIs can negatively affect children in many ways.
Every day, teachers use words to give students instructions, ask questions, and more. Children who can’t understand their teachers may not be able to follow instructions or answer questions correctly. Additionally, children with language issues may not understand what their peers are saying during group assignments.
Children with speech issues may struggle with many aspects of school, even if their grades are otherwise strong. Common issues may include difficulty with:
- Answering teacher’s questions
- Explaining their thoughts accurately
- Participating in class discussions or group work
- Interacting with classmates socially
Can Older Children Have Speech and Language Difficulties?
Yes. While statistics on SLIs show that these issues are most common in children aged 3-6, the same statistics show that nearly five percent of older children have some sort of voice, speech, or language difficulty.
Additionally, speech and language issues can look different at different ages. Preschool and elementary school-aged children with SLIs tend to struggle with basics such as pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence construction. For children in middle or high school, SLI issues may show up as difficulty with:
- Giving oral presentations
- Following complex verbal instructions
- Understanding abstract or figurative language
- Decoding technical language or jargon
- Completing assignments that involve speaking
How Do Schools Determine IEP Eligibility for Children with Speech and Language Disabilities?
New York City’s IEP process generally involves referral, evaluation, and a meeting to determine IDEA eligibility.
Students who qualify for services under the IDEA will receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP outlines the steps the school must take to meet the child’s educational needs.
During the evaluation process, experts assess children’s skills in various areas. Experts called speech-language pathologists often evaluate children with SILs. They may administer tests such as the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals to determine the child’s language abilities. They may also observe the student in the classroom, give them speech or language tasks, or both. The IEP process often also asks teachers and parents to share their thoughts about the student.
What Kind of Supports Can Children with Speech or Language Issues Get through an IEP?
Children with SLIs can receive many types of support in an IEP. Often, parents believe that speech therapy is the only support available to a child with an SLI. But this is not the case. In addition to speech-language therapy, an IEP should also include tools such as:
- Help with organizing verbal answers and class presentations
- Providing written versions of oral instructions
- Assistance with new or difficult vocabulary
- Allowing the student to submit in an alternative way when oral communication is required
Frequently Asked Questions About Children with Speech and Language Issues
1. Does my child need a medical diagnosis before I make an IEP referral?
No. Parents can make a referral before getting an official diagnosis.
2. Is an IEP the only way for my child to receive speech therapy at school?
Not necessarily. New York law allows districts to offer non-IEP services to children. NYCPS typically offers speech and language services to K–6 students even when their difficulties do not adversely affect them academically. However, children whose speech or language issues interfere with their education will likely be referred for IEP services.
3. Can speech-language services be added to an IEP for a child who qualifies under another disability category?
Typically, yes. Students with many disabilities may need help with speech issues.
4. Can a bilingual or multilingual child qualify for speech-language services?
Yes. However, it cannot be based on their limited English proficiency.
How Can a Therapeutic School Support Students with Speech or Language Needs?
While IEPs are helpful, many parents of children in traditional schools are frustrated when schools fail to implement the changes set forth in the IEP. However, because of smaller class sizes and a focus on individual education goals, therapeutic schools are often better able to serve children with speech or language issues.
If your child has speech or language difficulties or other learning challenges and you are considering a therapeutic school, consider Academics West. Learn more about our school by taking a virtual tour, scheduling a call with an admissions coordinator, or scheduling an in-person visit.