Speech-Language Impairment
Speech-language impairments can impact the way a student communicates. Speech errors include errors when producing specific sounds that are not a result of normal development or language acquisition, dysfluency (stuttering), or motor speech issues. Students may also receive therapy for improving the understanding and use of spoken or written language, pragmatics, and meta-linguistic skills. Students with swallowing disorders or dysphagia can also receive services from speech-language pathologists in Virginia public schools.
Students must meet Virginia eligibility criteria to be found eligible for services as a student with a speech language impairment or can receive speech-language therapy as a related service if included in the student’s IEP. For general information on related services visit the related services page.
Resources
- Speech-Language Pathology Services in the Schools: Guidelines for Best Practice (PDF)
- Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
- Talking EBP – This project is funded in part by a grant from VDOE. Subscribe to a free, digital newsletter that provides updates to SLPs twice each year. Information that is relevant to evidence based practices (EBP) in schools is summarized in a quick and easy to read format. The newsletter addresses practice issues related to serving students in public schools from 2 to 21 years of age. Issues include relevant research that focuses on EBP highlights for a variety of communication deficits.
- Fall 2012 Talking EBP (PDF)
- Spring 2012 Talking EBP (PDF)
- Fall 2011 Talking EBP (PDF)
- Spring 2011 Talking EBP (PDF)
- Evaluating Evidence from Internet Searches (Word) – A list of questions to consider when reviewing internet information.
- Web Site Review Checklist (Word) – A checklist to assist SLPs is evaluating assessment and treatment information obtained from the internet.
- VDOE Language Resources
- Talking EBP – This project is funded in part by a grant from VDOE. Subscribe to a free, digital newsletter that provides updates to SLPs twice each year. Information that is relevant to evidence based practices (EBP) in schools is summarized in a quick and easy to read format. The newsletter addresses practice issues related to serving students in public schools from 2 to 21 years of age. Issues include relevant research that focuses on EBP highlights for a variety of communication deficits.
- Communication Sciences and Disorders Programs in Virginia (Word)
- SLP Assistants (PDF) – The special education staffing requirements (Virginia Special Education Regulations, 8 VAC 20-80-45) do not include a paraprofessional for speech-language caseloads. They are not allowed to practice independently and must be supervised by qualified staff.
- Dysphagia – With advancements in medical technologies improving survival rates and changes in health provision limiting access to medical treatments, more children with swallowing problems are being directed to the public schools for services. Visit American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for more information about serving students with dysphagia in the public schools.
- Phonological Awareness – The Special Education and Student Services has collaborated with the Elementary and Middle Education unit on the phonological awareness component of the Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI).
VDOE Webinars for Speech Language Pathologists
Overview Of Narrative Analysis
Handouts for Overview Of Narrative Analysis (PDF)
Macrostructure: Analyzing Episodes
Handouts for Macrostructure: Analyzing Episodes (PDF)
Outside Resources
- K-5 Language Development Milestones
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV)
- Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- VA Relay – Virginia Relay enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech disabled to communicate by TTY or another assistive telephone device with anyone who uses a standard phone.
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